Chillingham Castle (Copyright © Don Brownlow)

(NU 06152 579) Chillingham Castle. (1)

A manor house had been built at Chillingham before mid 13th century and transformed into a castle in 1344-8; existing buildings preserve the general character though with many alterations and additions. The plan is a rectangle, the buildings being grouped around the four sides of an open courtyard, their outer sides forming a curtain wall, with a square tower at each corner of the structure. The castle was besieged and damaged by rebels during the Pilgrimage of Grace (1536-7). Major alterations were made at the beginning of the 17th century when a walled forecourt was built on the north side and further alterations occurred c.1753 and 19th century. (2)

The manor House was probably built by Robert de Muschamp III who died AD1250, in 1344 licence to strengthen it with a stone wall, to crenellate it and to make it into a castle, was granted. Certain parts of the masonry in the curtain walls and lower parts of the towers are probably of this date. (3)(4)

The castle is situated upon a north-west facing slope, with higher ground to the south, a ravine to the east, with higher ground beyond, and gentle slopes to the north and west, covered by extensive ornamental grounds. The castle is composed of a rectangle of buildings with four massive corner towers, as described in T2, mostly 14th-16th century work, but the north front, with the exception of the north-east tower and part of the north-west tower is of 17th century work. A range of domestic buildings grouped along the east face, are of 19th century work, but they are castellated and of pseudo-Norman design. The south face appears to be in its original state, though casement windows have been inserted in recent years. On each side of the drive
before the main north entrance are two walls splayed outwards, castellated and probably of 19th century date. They replace the forecourt of the 17th century referred to in T2.
The castle has been occupied until a few years ago but it is now closed-up, and abandoned. The present owner, Lord Tankerville, said that no finds of archaeological interest had been made in the locality of the castle in recent years.
Lord Tankerville also told the Investigator that on account of the castle being closed, it was not possible to visit the quadrangle within the building. A survey of the interior of the rectangle of buildings was not therefore possible. (5)

Condition unchanged. (6)

Chillingham Castle, Grade I
Castle. 14th century with 17th, 18th and 19th century alterations. John Patterson and Sir Jeffrey Wyatville did work in early 19th century. Mostly dressed stone. Quadrilateral with four corner towers and linking ranges. Central courtyard. Late 19th century service wing to left. Entrance front has three-bay centre which is of basement and three storeys, flanked by higher towers with still higher turrets. Steps to projecting early 17th century centrepiece with paired Tuscan
columns on all three floors, framing, on ground floor, round headed doorway with moulded imposts, arch, and responds and on first and second floors, two renewed cross windows with another Tuscan column between them. Renewed cross windows left and right of centrepiece on two upper floors. Slit windows on ground floor. Frieze and cornice above each floor, blank arches on first two friezes, lozenges above second floor. Achievement of arms above top window; and four beasts with shields stand in front of embattled parapet. Sashes under hood-mould in towers. In courtyard, early 17th century two-storey addition; possibly rebuilt open arcade on ground floor of segmental arches on square piers with small attached Ionic columns. Six statues of Worthies on corbels above the piers. Staircase to first floor. Balcony second floor.
Interior: Tunnel-vaulted basements to towers and ranges. Newel stairs in towers. Early 17th century ceiling with pendants, two elaborate 17th century overmantel and a fine early 18th century white marble fireplace with satyr heads. Interior in poor repair. (7)

Additional reference (8a)

Listed as a Quadrangular Castle by Cathcart King and Dodds. (8b-c)