Shawdon Hall, Hedgeley (Hedgeley)
The tower at Shawdon is mentioned in 1403, but in a list of 1460 (2) (authorities (1) and (2) give this date as 1415) it is referred to as a 'Castrum'. A survey of 1542 refers to it as a tower in good repair. (4)
Shawdon now stands on the level ground above the right (south west) bank of the Shawdon Burn dene. Here once no doubt stood the 'medieval town' with the owner's little tower. Of all this no trace now remains except some fragments of carved stonework preserved in the rockeries in the grounds. In 1799 William Hargrave made a clean sweep of the area, building the present hall (NU 09261432) and laying out the extensive grounds. (1)
There are no traces of the tower or mediaeval village to be seen in the vicinity of Shawdon Hall. The present building stands on a slight rise, commanding a good view, and was possibly erected on the site of the tower.
The fragments of stonework referred to are situated at NU 09341427. They include a corbel carved with a face; fragment of octagonal pillar; a stone, possibly a pediment of a gateway with a face carved on one side and a weathered plaque on the other, and a shallow octagonal trough - possibly from a fountain. (5)
Shawdon listed as a Deserted Medieval Village (Nothing visible on available aerial photographs (RAF 1946)). (6)
Shawdon Hall, grade II* listed building. Country house, dated 1779. Possibly by William Newton. (7)
Shawdon Hall may be attributed to William Newton and was built for William Hargrave in 1779. (8)
Additional Reference (9)
A tower was built at Shawdon in the 14th century but was demolished in 1779 to make way for the present Shawdon Hall. (9a-b)
Shawdon now stands on the level ground above the right (south west) bank of the Shawdon Burn dene. Here once no doubt stood the 'medieval town' with the owner's little tower. Of all this no trace now remains except some fragments of carved stonework preserved in the rockeries in the grounds. In 1799 William Hargrave made a clean sweep of the area, building the present hall (NU 09261432) and laying out the extensive grounds. (1)
There are no traces of the tower or mediaeval village to be seen in the vicinity of Shawdon Hall. The present building stands on a slight rise, commanding a good view, and was possibly erected on the site of the tower.
The fragments of stonework referred to are situated at NU 09341427. They include a corbel carved with a face; fragment of octagonal pillar; a stone, possibly a pediment of a gateway with a face carved on one side and a weathered plaque on the other, and a shallow octagonal trough - possibly from a fountain. (5)
Shawdon listed as a Deserted Medieval Village (Nothing visible on available aerial photographs (RAF 1946)). (6)
Shawdon Hall, grade II* listed building. Country house, dated 1779. Possibly by William Newton. (7)
Shawdon Hall may be attributed to William Newton and was built for William Hargrave in 1779. (8)
Additional Reference (9)
A tower was built at Shawdon in the 14th century but was demolished in 1779 to make way for the present Shawdon Hall. (9a-b)
N3238
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
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