Structure Name: Howtel Tower

Description:
 

Ruins of a small fortified tower house (c.10m square), standing to three storeys high on the south side, and with walls over 2m thick at ground floor level. The other walls are extant to just above the first floor. Entrance was by a doorway in the south wall.

The tower is now surrounded on three sides by farm buildings.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Scheduled Ancient Monument

Location: Howtel, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 389800m (view map)

Northings: 634120m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 10m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Structure Types Identified: DOVECOTE, PELE TOWER, TOWER HOUSE

Historical Background
 

This is one of a large number of fortified houses built in the Kilham area during the upheaval between England and Scotland. Although destroyed in the 15th century, the upper floors appear to have been rebuilt in the 1580s in line with recommendations by the Border Commissioners, and the tower was again used as a stronghouse until the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
 

Chronology:

• 1496   Tower partially destroyed by James IV.
      Entities Involved:
            King James IV: Led Scottish attacks on England.
• 1580s   Tower repaired and re-used.
• 17TH CENTURY AD   Tower fell out of use.
• 19TH CENTURY AD   Dovecote built into the ruins.
• EARLY 20TH CENTURY   Extensive repairs masked some original features of the tower.

Notes:

• Additional information about the structure type DOVECOTE is available.

References:

• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, p.353

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

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