Bower, possible tower house (Tarset with Greystead)
A survey of c.1715 refers to: 'The Bowre and ancient pile on ye north side ye River Cherdon'. (1)
There are still fragments of a rude pele tower. (2)
The Border Survey of 1604 lists a house and outhouse at the Bower (NT 75678325). (3)
The 'Boure' or 'Bower' in 1524 was in the possession of Hector Charlton. In 1715 it belonged to William Charlton. (4)
Bower is a modern farmhouse with outbuildings, situated upon a grassy rise, between the Eals Cleugh to the north, and the Chirdon Burn to the south, and a little west of their confluence. The site is an excellent one for a Pele, being placed centrally in the valley, commanding it to the east and west, and the slopes to high ground to the north and south.
There are no traces of a pele to be seen in or around the present buildings.
The farmhouse is the property of the Forestry Commission. Mr J G Straughan, Forester, has no knowledge of a Pele formerly at Bower. (5)
The `Bowrie Charltons' were a scion of the Charlton family, and infamous for their reiving from the late 15th century until the mid 18th century. This pele or bastle was their major strongplace from which they raided their neighbours. Although they moved to Redesdale in the early 18th century, they retained The Bower for `business purposes'. The tower was pulled down in the late 18th century. (6a-b)
There are still fragments of a rude pele tower. (2)
The Border Survey of 1604 lists a house and outhouse at the Bower (NT 75678325). (3)
The 'Boure' or 'Bower' in 1524 was in the possession of Hector Charlton. In 1715 it belonged to William Charlton. (4)
Bower is a modern farmhouse with outbuildings, situated upon a grassy rise, between the Eals Cleugh to the north, and the Chirdon Burn to the south, and a little west of their confluence. The site is an excellent one for a Pele, being placed centrally in the valley, commanding it to the east and west, and the slopes to high ground to the north and south.
There are no traces of a pele to be seen in or around the present buildings.
The farmhouse is the property of the Forestry Commission. Mr J G Straughan, Forester, has no knowledge of a Pele formerly at Bower. (5)
The `Bowrie Charltons' were a scion of the Charlton family, and infamous for their reiving from the late 15th century until the mid 18th century. This pele or bastle was their major strongplace from which they raided their neighbours. Although they moved to Redesdale in the early 18th century, they retained The Bower for `business purposes'. The tower was pulled down in the late 18th century. (6a-b)
N7047
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1956; A S Phillips
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