Fenwick Tower (Northumberland)

Fenwick Tower
Fenwick Tower

 Fenwick Tower shown within Northumberland
OS grid reference NZ030717
List of places: UK • England • Northumberland

Fenwick Tower was a 12th century tower house at Matfen, Northumberland, England.

The house was the home of the Fenwick family from the 12th century until they moved to Wallington in the 16th century.[1]

In 1378 John Fenwick was granted a licence to crenelate the house.[2] The tower was largely demolished in about 1775 at which time a hoard of medieval gold coins was discovered.[3]

The sparse remains of the tower are now incorporated into a 17th century farmhouse and are protected by Grade II listed building status[3]

References

  1. ^ Burkes Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England Ireland and Scotland (1844) pp194-6 Google Books
  2. ^ Gatehouse Gazetteer
  3. ^ a b Keys to the Past

Feb 15th 2010 Human remains were found buried next to a cottage in the hamlet of Fenwick towers. Experts were attempting to calculate the age of the remains by using radio carbon dating. Investigators have said the find could be historical.