Bitchfield Tower | |
---|---|
Northumberland, England, UK | |
Location in
Northumberland | |
Coordinates | 55°05′20″N 1°51′25″W / 55.089°N 1.857°W |
Grid reference | NZ091771 |
Bitchfield Tower or West Bitchfield Tower is a 15th-century medieval pele tower near Belsay, Northumberland, England. [1] It is a Grade I listed building. [2]
The three storied battlemented tower was built in the 15th century by the Middleton family who sold it to the Harbottles in 1502. [3] Marjorie Harbottle the heiress to the Harbottle estate, married Sir John Fenwick of Fenwick Tower and in 1529 they conveyed the property to their second son Roger Fenwick. [3] In 1622 Robert Fenwick built a new manor house adjoining the tower: [2] a datestone inscribed 'RF 1622 JF' is incorporated into the building [3] [4]
The Fenwicks sold the estate in 1630 to Edward Grey, from whom it was sequestered in 1646. [3] In 1680 it was acquired by Sir James Clavering and in 1802 the Claverings sold to Sir Charles Monck. [3]
It was in a state of ruin by 1930 but has since been restored.
The east wing was added by Caroë and Lord Gort in 1935. The tower was listed since August 27th, 1952. [5]
Bitchfield Tower | |
---|---|
Northumberland, England, UK | |
Location in
Northumberland | |
Coordinates | 55°05′20″N 1°51′25″W / 55.089°N 1.857°W |
Grid reference | NZ091771 |
Bitchfield Tower or West Bitchfield Tower is a 15th-century medieval pele tower near Belsay, Northumberland, England. [1] It is a Grade I listed building. [2]
The three storied battlemented tower was built in the 15th century by the Middleton family who sold it to the Harbottles in 1502. [3] Marjorie Harbottle the heiress to the Harbottle estate, married Sir John Fenwick of Fenwick Tower and in 1529 they conveyed the property to their second son Roger Fenwick. [3] In 1622 Robert Fenwick built a new manor house adjoining the tower: [2] a datestone inscribed 'RF 1622 JF' is incorporated into the building [3] [4]
The Fenwicks sold the estate in 1630 to Edward Grey, from whom it was sequestered in 1646. [3] In 1680 it was acquired by Sir James Clavering and in 1802 the Claverings sold to Sir Charles Monck. [3]
It was in a state of ruin by 1930 but has since been restored.
The east wing was added by Caroë and Lord Gort in 1935. The tower was listed since August 27th, 1952. [5]