Kershope Castle (Kielder)
NY 61459596 Kirshope Castle (Site of). (1)
Tower at Kershope Castle. (2)
A few indefinite mounds on the southern slope of Deadwater Moor are all that remains of Kershope Castle. In 1249 a Robert of 'Gresshope', which may be Kershope is mentioned, and in 1304 a grant of land was made in !Creshope!. In the same year there was a confirmation of a grant of land in 'Gresshoppa', originally made by Malcolm, King of Scotland (died 1165). (3)
The ruined foundations of Kershope or Carshope Castle, are situated 600 yards above the stream. They measure about 40 feet by 35 feet and are surrounded by a ditch.
About 250 yards east of the castle and close to a rocky precipice are the foundations of dwellings probably connected with the castle. One of these is about 75 feet long by 20 feet wide. (4)
Site falls in a thickly afforested portion of Kielder Forest and is also cut by a Forestry Commission track. There are no surveyable remains of the castle and the density of trees prevented investigation of the !foundations of dwellings! noted by authority 4. The site falls on a steep (approximately 1:4) south west slope and overlooks the River North Tyne valley, but is itself overlooked by higher ground to the north east. (5)
Much of the timber in the immediate vicinity of the site has now been felled, but there are no remains of the tower and only a vague impression of its enclosing ditch. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (6)
Situated at NY 6144 9595 on steep south west facing slopes within Kielder Forest, overlooking the River North Tyne Valley, the remains consist of a mound approximately 7.0m by 5.0m surrounded on three sides by a ditch (now mainly infilled) and part of an outer bank. On the central mound is a small section of stonework in the north west which may possibly be the inner face of a wall of the original tower (See illustration). illustration).
Although only the south west half of the earthworks survive, the remainder having been destroyed by a forestry road and deep ploughing, it seems probable that the original form was a central mound supporting a tower and enclosed by a ditch and outer bank.
Although large areas of trees to the east and north east have now been cleared no traces of the additional buildings referred to by Authority 4 could be located.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. (7)
Between the castle and the main road are traces of old field boundaries. (8)
Scheduled. (9)
NY 614 960. Kirshope Castle (site of). Scheduled No ND/408. (10a)
Listed by Cathcart King and Dodds. (10b-c)
Tower at Kershope Castle. (2)
A few indefinite mounds on the southern slope of Deadwater Moor are all that remains of Kershope Castle. In 1249 a Robert of 'Gresshope', which may be Kershope is mentioned, and in 1304 a grant of land was made in !Creshope!. In the same year there was a confirmation of a grant of land in 'Gresshoppa', originally made by Malcolm, King of Scotland (died 1165). (3)
The ruined foundations of Kershope or Carshope Castle, are situated 600 yards above the stream. They measure about 40 feet by 35 feet and are surrounded by a ditch.
About 250 yards east of the castle and close to a rocky precipice are the foundations of dwellings probably connected with the castle. One of these is about 75 feet long by 20 feet wide. (4)
Site falls in a thickly afforested portion of Kielder Forest and is also cut by a Forestry Commission track. There are no surveyable remains of the castle and the density of trees prevented investigation of the !foundations of dwellings! noted by authority 4. The site falls on a steep (approximately 1:4) south west slope and overlooks the River North Tyne valley, but is itself overlooked by higher ground to the north east. (5)
Much of the timber in the immediate vicinity of the site has now been felled, but there are no remains of the tower and only a vague impression of its enclosing ditch. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (6)
Situated at NY 6144 9595 on steep south west facing slopes within Kielder Forest, overlooking the River North Tyne Valley, the remains consist of a mound approximately 7.0m by 5.0m surrounded on three sides by a ditch (now mainly infilled) and part of an outer bank. On the central mound is a small section of stonework in the north west which may possibly be the inner face of a wall of the original tower (See illustration). illustration).
Although only the south west half of the earthworks survive, the remainder having been destroyed by a forestry road and deep ploughing, it seems probable that the original form was a central mound supporting a tower and enclosed by a ditch and outer bank.
Although large areas of trees to the east and north east have now been cleared no traces of the additional buildings referred to by Authority 4 could be located.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. (7)
Between the castle and the main road are traces of old field boundaries. (8)
Scheduled. (9)
NY 614 960. Kirshope Castle (site of). Scheduled No ND/408. (10a)
Listed by Cathcart King and Dodds. (10b-c)
N6231
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1977; S Ainsworth
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