(NY 93619340) Castle (Rems of). (1)

The parsonage which is called Elsdon Castle, is a strong old tower. It is known to have existed in the time of Sir Robert Umfraville, who died in 1436. The arms on the south front are those of Sir Robert Taylboys.
The first floor is a vault spanned by one arch, 27 feet by 15 feet, with a recess 7 feet deep, cut through the wall to the windows. A circular stone staircase still leads to the upper rooms, formerly two low rooms containing four chambers each, the first of which was a kitchen with servants apartments, flagged with stone. Mr Singleton has added various offices to the old building, which he has modernised throughout. (2)

A battlemented walk goes along three sides of the gabled, stone-tiled roof, and the entrance is additionally guarded by projecting machicolations. (3)

The Fortified Vicarage stands overlooking the village of Elsdon upon a knoll, which commands the surrounding countryside in all directions. To the south and west, the ground falls away rather gently, to the north, there is a local depression with steep slopes, with higher ground rising beyond, and to the east are precipitous slopes falling to the Elsdon Burn. The tower, strongly sited, occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the valley of this burn, which runs north-westwards from here up into the hills. It also commands the east-west valley to the south, of the Whiskershiel Burn.
The tower was originally of four storeys with a flat roof. In the 17th century, the upper three storeys were converted into two, and redesigned in the decoration of that period, internally.
A penthouse roof was added, probably about the same time, leaving a battlement walk around it.
The basement retains its barrel vaulted roof, but a large window has been cut in the east end and a smaller one through the south side. A newel stair leads up from the east side of the original entrance to the basement which is through the north side, midway, and now within the present vicarage. It is within the wall, but no trip-step as described by Authority 5 was noticed.
A cupboard on the first floor in the south wall now conceals the original entrance to some mural steps leading down westwards to the basement. The lower exit is now blocked up and its position is not known.
The tower structure is in excellent condition. The walls are of roughly carved and bonded fashioned stone, built upon strong foundations, with large dressed quoins at the corners. The side walls at ground level are 2.7m thick, the end walls 1.8m thick. The original floor levels are indicated by numerous small square-headed windows and arrow slit, the former now blocked up; the latter are retained giving light to the newel stairway.
Modern large windows have been inserted at the new floor levels.
Against the north and west sides of the tower, modern extensions have been constructed of two-storey height. (4)

Condition unchanged. (5)

1 Elsdon Rectory Incorporates Elsdon Tower. 14th century 'the finest of all the existing rectorial tower-houses of Northumberland' (Morris). Gutted late 18th century and its interior renovated in the Gothic style of plasterwork. The ground floor room 27ft x 15ft has a good lath and plaster barrel-vaulted ribbed ceiling; there are bedrooms on the first floor and a fine saloon above them. These 3 s. correspond to an original 4s. There is some mediaeval and much 18th century heraldry. A wing was added in the 18th century and much enlarged in the 19th century. (6)

Additional reference (7)

No change. (8)

Recorded as 'Vicar's Pele' in 1415 but probably rebuilt 16th century. Lower additions to west and north early 19th century by Archdeacon Singleton; the windows remodelled c.1840. (9)

Elsdon Tower. In 1415 list. Probably c.1400 for Rector of Elsdon. Remained the rector's home until the parish joined with Otterburn c.1960.
Rectangular plan, walls 8ft thick at base. South front has arms of the Umfravilles 'R Dominus Rede'. Extensively altered in early 19th century Gothic ribs added to ground storey vault; vestibule to entrance added 1820; north wing. (10)

Historical and structural analysis by P Ryder in August 1994. Contains full description, plus plans and elevations. (11)

Historic Building Report by RCHME in September 1995. Contains plans, sections, photographs and detailed description. (12)

Watching brief kept by P Ryder during building works to record various structural and architectural details exposed. Structural puzzles have been exposed at each floor. A window in the east wall of the basement, previously thought to have been reset in Victorian times, proved to be in situ. At first floor level a medieval doorway was uncovered which may be a remnant of a pre-1541 tower. At second floor level two conflicting pieces of evidence were found which suggest the original height of the tower was in one case lower and in the other, higher, than previously thought. A series of socket holes, apparently for roof timbers, in the attic indicate the roof was lower than at present; and a garderobe shaft in the south wall indicates the third floor was part of the original tower and that the tower was taller than at present. (13)(14)

Listed by Cathcart King and Dodds. (15a-b)