Welton Hall (Horsley)
Welton Hall, Horsley. Photo by Peter Ryder.
[NZ 06516761] Tower [GT]. (1)
The ancient pele called Welton Hall is built entirely of Roman stones. Over the door are the initials and date 'W W 1614'. (2)
A ruined pele and 17th century house. The tower is probably 15th century - the upper part is ruinous. The Welton family lived here for about 250 years from the reign of Henry IV. (3)
The tower measures 24ft east-west and 20ft north-south, with walls 5ft thick. The original entrance - now blocked - was in the east face. The adjoining house consists of a main block running north-south, with an east wing at the south end. (4)
No documentary evidence, but tower attributed to 15th century. (5)(6)
Description and plan correct as in authorities 2-4 save that the datestone 'W W 1614' is built into the house and not into the pele as suggested by 2. The tower and house now form a private residence. (7)
Condition unchanged. (8)
Welton Hall II*. Farmhouse and ruined tower. House dated 1614 but originally 13th or 14th century hall house. 16th, 17th and 19th century alterations. Tower 14th century. Squared stone, including Roman stone, and random rubble. Tower roofless; two storeys and tunnel vaulted basement. A 14th century first floor window with cusped head; other windows square-headed with chamfered surrounds. (9)
Welton Tower. Made of Roman stones. Vaulted basement with two windows, on blocked. Traces of 13th century unfortified mansion behind present remains, and some 15th century work in north wall. (10)
The tower is built of re-used Roman stones which support the suggestion that it is part of a suspected Roman frontier - the 255 degree line. The route of this suspected frontier runs along the central 'street' of the deserted medieval village (NZ 06 NE 22). (11)
The house is one of the best combinations of of a medieval manor house and tower surviving in the county. The building has an overall Z-plan consisting of a north-south hallblock with a west wing, converted into a tower, at its north end and an east wing at the south end. A further block adjoining the north end of the hallblock is actually the western part of a former north east wing.
EXTERIOR:
The majority of the building is built of coursed squared stone, including much re-used Roman material.
HALL BLOCK:
The north end of the hall block is partly concealed by the surviving part of the north east wing. Part of the coping of an earlier and steeper gable is visible and a single-light trefoil-headed lancet at attic level, toegther showing that the centre line of the original gable was a little to the east of that of the present one.
The northern part of the east side of the hall is set forward (with a lower eaves line) as a stair projection, lit by a pair of two-light mullioned windows with recessed and chamfered surrounds. South of this is the front door, which has a rather unusual head in an angular derivative of the common four-centred form. It has quite an elaborate moulding with a wave and a sunk quadrant and a hoodmould with turned back ends;a raised panel on the lintel has the relief inscription 'W W1614'. On the jambs, the elaborate mouldings are stopped (the stops are now very worn) well above the base and the lower jambs, which seem to be of a darker stone, are simply chamfered; the most obvious explanation is they are in situ survivals of an earlier doorway, re-worked in 1614. Above the doorway is a sunk panel with a moulded surround (compare Willimoteswick) which doubtless once held a heraldic panel and, above that, a two-light mullioned window. To the south are three-light mullioned windows to both floors, with similar hoodmoulds, but with the chamfer replaced by a sunk quadrant moulding.
On the west side of the hall block there is a square-headed chamfered doorway, now converted into a window, immediately to the south of the tower, with a two-light mullioned window of the simpler form (no hoodmould) above, alongside a 19th century sash. South of these is a massive projecting stack, increasing in width (by means of a corbel at its north end) at first floor level, then reducing by a large number of chamfered set-backs, but still rising high above the eaves level. In the short section of wall south of the stack is a three-light mullioned window (blocked) to the first floor, of the more elaborate form with quadrant mouldings and a hood.
The south end of the wing is largely concealed by an impressive early 17th century semi-octagonal two-storeyed bay, with moulded strings above ground and first floor windows, which are of mullioned-and-transomed form, with quadrant mouldings - four lights in the centre, flanked by three, with single-light windows in the sides. The upper parts of the first floor windows are blocked. On the east side of the wing are three quoins, immediately below the kneeler (although the south east wing is now of the same height as the hall block) but below these a ragged joint, beyond which the walling of the wing is rather more rubbly.
THE TOWER:
The tower is three storeys in height. On its north the only openings are an inserted doorway to the first floor (with its sill only a metre or so above the present ground level) with, to the west of it, a projecting stone spout and, on the second floor, well above the pair of thin courses that indicate the eaves level of the original wing (below which the squared stonework courses through with the north end of the hall block) a square-headed window with a chamfered surround.
On the south, the basement of the tower (or rather, of the original wing) has been lit by two small square windows with chamfered surrounds. The sill of the western has been broken through to convert it into a low and small doorway; sockets indicate that it was formerly closed by a grille of iron bars, three vertical and three horizontal. The eastern window is walled up and concealed internally by the inserted vault. At first floor level is a single trefoil-headed lancet (like that in the north gable of the hall block); a diagonal line of rough sockets in the wall, starting below this window and rising eastward, indicate the roof-line of some former outbuilding, probably a post-medieval addition. The second floor of the tower has a square-headed window like that on the north.
The west wall of the tower, although partly concealed by the adjacent range of farmbuildings, has several features of interest. The steeply-pitched gable of the original wing is clearly visible, together with a central projecting stack (which appears to be contemporary with the original gable). South of this, at second floor level, is a ragged area of masonry (probably a patch) and some projecting blocks, that seem to mark the position of a projection, perhaps a pendant gardeable. A few stones of the chamfered oversailing course that marked the base of the tower parapet remain at the south west corner.
SOUTH EAST WING:
To the north, this shows evidence of several generations of openings. The oldest are probably a blocked doorway (square-headed?) near the centre of the wall and traces of a blocked window above and to the west. This east jamb of the doorway is cut away by a four-light mullioned window (with chamfered surrounds and no hoodmould); to the west is a two-light window of similar type, now blocked. At first floor level there is a three-light mullioned window near the east end of the wall, of much narrower proportions than those below and an 18th or early 19th century sash with a raised stone surround further west.
The east end of the wing has a central projecting and stepped stack, which now dies into the wall at around eaves level. There are traces of a blocked ground floor opening of uncertain date south of the stack and indistinct features, one perhaps a steep earlier roof-line, above.
The south side of the wing is of two bays; in the western is a doorway with a raised stone surround and in the eastern a sash window in a similar frame, with two more similar ones above. There are traces of an older opening of some sort in between the doorway and ground floor window and, to the west of the doorway, set at mid height in the wall, are a small window with a pointed trefoiled arch (now blocked) and traces (the sill and east jamb) of a similar but slightly larger window, probably of the same date. In this wall are one or two thin courses, perhaps pointing to earlier eaves lines; one is around the present first floor level and one half way up the first floor windows.
THE INTERIOR:
It is known that there are a considerable number of features of interest internally. These include evidence of a larger 14th century window at first floor level in the north end of the main range; inside the tower the vault is clearly an insertion.
Welton Hall is probably the best example of a small manor house, perhaps of earlier 14th century date and probably with a first floor hall, strengthened in the late 14th or 15th century by the conversion of one wing into a tower. (12)
Scheduled. (13)
Listed by Cathcart King. (14a)
The ancient pele called Welton Hall is built entirely of Roman stones. Over the door are the initials and date 'W W 1614'. (2)
A ruined pele and 17th century house. The tower is probably 15th century - the upper part is ruinous. The Welton family lived here for about 250 years from the reign of Henry IV. (3)
The tower measures 24ft east-west and 20ft north-south, with walls 5ft thick. The original entrance - now blocked - was in the east face. The adjoining house consists of a main block running north-south, with an east wing at the south end. (4)
No documentary evidence, but tower attributed to 15th century. (5)(6)
Description and plan correct as in authorities 2-4 save that the datestone 'W W 1614' is built into the house and not into the pele as suggested by 2. The tower and house now form a private residence. (7)
Condition unchanged. (8)
Welton Hall II*. Farmhouse and ruined tower. House dated 1614 but originally 13th or 14th century hall house. 16th, 17th and 19th century alterations. Tower 14th century. Squared stone, including Roman stone, and random rubble. Tower roofless; two storeys and tunnel vaulted basement. A 14th century first floor window with cusped head; other windows square-headed with chamfered surrounds. (9)
Welton Tower. Made of Roman stones. Vaulted basement with two windows, on blocked. Traces of 13th century unfortified mansion behind present remains, and some 15th century work in north wall. (10)
The tower is built of re-used Roman stones which support the suggestion that it is part of a suspected Roman frontier - the 255 degree line. The route of this suspected frontier runs along the central 'street' of the deserted medieval village (NZ 06 NE 22). (11)
The house is one of the best combinations of of a medieval manor house and tower surviving in the county. The building has an overall Z-plan consisting of a north-south hallblock with a west wing, converted into a tower, at its north end and an east wing at the south end. A further block adjoining the north end of the hallblock is actually the western part of a former north east wing.
EXTERIOR:
The majority of the building is built of coursed squared stone, including much re-used Roman material.
HALL BLOCK:
The north end of the hall block is partly concealed by the surviving part of the north east wing. Part of the coping of an earlier and steeper gable is visible and a single-light trefoil-headed lancet at attic level, toegther showing that the centre line of the original gable was a little to the east of that of the present one.
The northern part of the east side of the hall is set forward (with a lower eaves line) as a stair projection, lit by a pair of two-light mullioned windows with recessed and chamfered surrounds. South of this is the front door, which has a rather unusual head in an angular derivative of the common four-centred form. It has quite an elaborate moulding with a wave and a sunk quadrant and a hoodmould with turned back ends;a raised panel on the lintel has the relief inscription 'W W1614'. On the jambs, the elaborate mouldings are stopped (the stops are now very worn) well above the base and the lower jambs, which seem to be of a darker stone, are simply chamfered; the most obvious explanation is they are in situ survivals of an earlier doorway, re-worked in 1614. Above the doorway is a sunk panel with a moulded surround (compare Willimoteswick) which doubtless once held a heraldic panel and, above that, a two-light mullioned window. To the south are three-light mullioned windows to both floors, with similar hoodmoulds, but with the chamfer replaced by a sunk quadrant moulding.
On the west side of the hall block there is a square-headed chamfered doorway, now converted into a window, immediately to the south of the tower, with a two-light mullioned window of the simpler form (no hoodmould) above, alongside a 19th century sash. South of these is a massive projecting stack, increasing in width (by means of a corbel at its north end) at first floor level, then reducing by a large number of chamfered set-backs, but still rising high above the eaves level. In the short section of wall south of the stack is a three-light mullioned window (blocked) to the first floor, of the more elaborate form with quadrant mouldings and a hood.
The south end of the wing is largely concealed by an impressive early 17th century semi-octagonal two-storeyed bay, with moulded strings above ground and first floor windows, which are of mullioned-and-transomed form, with quadrant mouldings - four lights in the centre, flanked by three, with single-light windows in the sides. The upper parts of the first floor windows are blocked. On the east side of the wing are three quoins, immediately below the kneeler (although the south east wing is now of the same height as the hall block) but below these a ragged joint, beyond which the walling of the wing is rather more rubbly.
THE TOWER:
The tower is three storeys in height. On its north the only openings are an inserted doorway to the first floor (with its sill only a metre or so above the present ground level) with, to the west of it, a projecting stone spout and, on the second floor, well above the pair of thin courses that indicate the eaves level of the original wing (below which the squared stonework courses through with the north end of the hall block) a square-headed window with a chamfered surround.
On the south, the basement of the tower (or rather, of the original wing) has been lit by two small square windows with chamfered surrounds. The sill of the western has been broken through to convert it into a low and small doorway; sockets indicate that it was formerly closed by a grille of iron bars, three vertical and three horizontal. The eastern window is walled up and concealed internally by the inserted vault. At first floor level is a single trefoil-headed lancet (like that in the north gable of the hall block); a diagonal line of rough sockets in the wall, starting below this window and rising eastward, indicate the roof-line of some former outbuilding, probably a post-medieval addition. The second floor of the tower has a square-headed window like that on the north.
The west wall of the tower, although partly concealed by the adjacent range of farmbuildings, has several features of interest. The steeply-pitched gable of the original wing is clearly visible, together with a central projecting stack (which appears to be contemporary with the original gable). South of this, at second floor level, is a ragged area of masonry (probably a patch) and some projecting blocks, that seem to mark the position of a projection, perhaps a pendant gardeable. A few stones of the chamfered oversailing course that marked the base of the tower parapet remain at the south west corner.
SOUTH EAST WING:
To the north, this shows evidence of several generations of openings. The oldest are probably a blocked doorway (square-headed?) near the centre of the wall and traces of a blocked window above and to the west. This east jamb of the doorway is cut away by a four-light mullioned window (with chamfered surrounds and no hoodmould); to the west is a two-light window of similar type, now blocked. At first floor level there is a three-light mullioned window near the east end of the wall, of much narrower proportions than those below and an 18th or early 19th century sash with a raised stone surround further west.
The east end of the wing has a central projecting and stepped stack, which now dies into the wall at around eaves level. There are traces of a blocked ground floor opening of uncertain date south of the stack and indistinct features, one perhaps a steep earlier roof-line, above.
The south side of the wing is of two bays; in the western is a doorway with a raised stone surround and in the eastern a sash window in a similar frame, with two more similar ones above. There are traces of an older opening of some sort in between the doorway and ground floor window and, to the west of the doorway, set at mid height in the wall, are a small window with a pointed trefoiled arch (now blocked) and traces (the sill and east jamb) of a similar but slightly larger window, probably of the same date. In this wall are one or two thin courses, perhaps pointing to earlier eaves lines; one is around the present first floor level and one half way up the first floor windows.
THE INTERIOR:
It is known that there are a considerable number of features of interest internally. These include evidence of a larger 14th century window at first floor level in the north end of the main range; inside the tower the vault is clearly an insertion.
Welton Hall is probably the best example of a small manor house, perhaps of earlier 14th century date and probably with a first floor hall, strengthened in the late 14th or 15th century by the conversion of one wing into a tower. (12)
Scheduled. (13)
Listed by Cathcart King. (14a)
N10020
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1966; R Lewis
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.