Bitchfield Tower

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bitchfield Tower or West Bitchfield Tower is a 15th century medieval pele tower near to Belsay, Northumberland[1] (grid reference NZ091771). It is a Grade I listed building.[2]

The three storeyed 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 squestered 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 [5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
  2. ^ a b Keys to the Past
  3. ^ a b c d e A History of Northumberland, Volume XII Miss MH Dodds (1926) pp346 and 349
  4. ^ Structures of the North East
  5. ^ Gatehouse Gazetteer


Coordinates: 55.08826° N 1.85897° W

 This article about an English castle is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This article about a Northumberland building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.