Callaly Castle (Whittingham and Callaly)
Callaly Castle, Callaly. Photo by Peter Ryder.
(NU 05250986) Tower (NR) (Remains of). (1)
Castle at Callaly. (2)
Listed in the Survey of 1415 as 'Castrum de Kaloule vet' occupied by Sir John Clavering. (Kaloule vet' ie Old Callaly probably refers to the Castle Hill and not the Tower of Callaly. Sir John Clavering of Callaly, died 4 HEN VI). A tower of the Claverings is mentioned in the Survey of 1541 as being in good repair. (3)
On the hilltop castle being abandoned a settlement was made on the present site. Of this medieval house no trace remains except some parts of the great tower encased in the south wing of the later mansion. This tower seems to have measured about 39 feet by 42 feet overall, and to have had turrets or smaller towers attached to its east and west diagonally opposite corners. It is said to have had a vaulted basement, and the vault was probably in more than one span.
In 1619 Sir John Clavering modernised the castle. A fireplace in a modern wall in the south wing is part of his work, bearing the date 1619. Some built-up openings on the north-east side of the south wing and in the main building show that he built, or altered, a wing stretching north-eastwards on the site of the present great drawing room.
In 1676 Robert Clavering rebuilt the north-east wing which now became the principal part of the mansion with an entrance door in the centre of its front. (It is possible that this wing occupies the site of the great hall of the original castle.) The 1676 front is three storeys high. In 1707 John Clavering added a wing projecting south-eastwards, and balancing the old south wing.
This is a piece of fully developed English Renaissance work. As the park wall bears the date 1704, it was probably at this time that the park was enclosed, and the cottages of Callaly moved away to a new site. Further alterations were made, between 1727 and 1787, which entirely altered the whole character of the castle.
The north-west wing is early Georgian, and was added soon after 1727. About 1740 an attempt was made to bring the whole south-east face into harmony, and a level cornice and parapet similar to that on the 1707 wing was run across the 1676 facade, and continued around the old tower. The tower's twin gables were taken away, and its walls were replaced with new stonework, concealing all the medieval and Jacobean features. In 1750 a private chapel was added. In 1757 the 1676 buildings was gutted, the two storeys made into one. In 1776 the stable court and offices were built. Further additions were made in the 19th century. In 1837-1843, the south-western third of the old tower wing was taken down, reducing its width to 31 feet, and at the same time, gutted and reconstructed with two storeys instead of three. No further alterations have been made since 1893. (4)
The oldest date is 1676 on a dial, which probably belongs to an older structure. Centrally placed on the front, facing south is the date 1707 with initials RMC, the same date and intials appear on the western face of the eastern wing. Above a door on the back part of the house is a shield dated 1727 with the initials RC. (5)
The medieval tower forms part of the west wing of the present mansion. A new wing was added in 1890, and the old private chapel of the Claverings was restored. This was a Catholic oratory. A priest appears to have been in continuous residence at Callaly, a centre of Catholicism, and after the Reformation no doubt a 'priests hole' was devised somewhere in the old building. (6)
NU 05250986 The external features of the castle are as described by authority (4). The stone bearing the date 1707, correctly sited by authority (5), has the intials JAC and not RMC. No work earlier than the 17th century is visible externally. The line of the hipped roof in the south west wing suggests that at one time it extended further to the south west, as stated by authority (4).
The sundial referred to by authority (5) appears to be 'in situ', and not part of an earlier structure, as suggested. The architecture of the south face with its windows surmounted by open pediments is typical late 17th century. Also on this south face, over the central doorway are the intials RMC standing for Robert Clavering who rebuilt this wing - see authority (4).
The building is in excellent condition and in use as a residence. (7)
Condition unchanged. (8)
Apart from the pele-tower, forming the west wing, no other part shows evidence of fortification. The house reflects outstanding internal and external architecture of several periods, and although still privately owned, is open to the public from Whitsun until September. (9)
The remains of the pele-tower comprise the north, east and south walls, c.7ft thick, but no original detail is visible as both internal and external wallings have been altered and refaced. See guide book and ground photographs. (10)
Callaly Castle, Grade I. Country house. 14th century and later, additions by Robert Trollope in 1676, various 15th century dates and 1890 by Mr Stephenson of Berwick.
The projecting wing to the left was a pele tower with walls 7ft thick refaced in 1749 in ashlar with sash windows. The west wall was rebuilt c.1840. The projecting wing to the right is dated 1707 but it could be older. The walls are 4ft thick and there is old masonry in its east wall. (11)
Callaly Castle contains an uncertain amount of medieval fabric alongside the 17th and 18th century work. The main front of the house faces south east and has a five-bay frontage of 1676 by Trollope, between two projecting wings. The west wing incorporates a large medieval tower. The house was subdivided into a number of units in 1987.
WEST WING:
Little medieval fabric is in evidence today. Externally, the walls have been completely refaced in the 18th and 19th centuries and internally they are largely plastered. The well of a newel stair remains at the north east corner, containing a later timber stair. At first floor level a large recess at the south east corner presumably relates to one of the turrets or corner towers referred to in the NCH.
Only at attic level is old masonry exposed, but the situation here is complex. The east wall shows the stub of a cut-away cross wall, whilst the sawn off stub of a spine beam on the north clearly predates the present roof trusses, which in turn have been modified when the west wall was moved in c.1840. There are also old features, probably pre-1749 windows, in the south wall.
CENTRAL BLOCK:
This now contains the drawing room, with its spectactular plasterwork of 1857, at ground floor level. The south elevation is entirely Trollope's work, but older masonry remains in the north wall. NCH dates this on the strength of a re-set frieze, or overmantel (now in the first floor bedroom in the west wing) to 1619. The one old feature exposed is a window, now internal, at second floor level, close to the west end of the wall. This has been of two lights, but the mullion has been carefully cut away; the surround has both wave and ovolo mouldings and could be of later 16th or early 17th century date.
EAST WING:
Although the fenestration of this wing is of 1707 (dated lintel to ground floor south window) all the windows are clearly inserted in older fabric: walls of squared stone around 1m thick. In 1934 two pieces of painted Elizabethan panelling were found behind early 18th century panelling here.
This is a three-storeyed block running north from the east end of the drawing room and forms the recessed centre portion of the west front. Several different masonry types are visible on this elevation; the main central three-bay section seems to predate the southern bay, which contains a doorway dated '1727'. Although the NCH dates this wing to the 18th century, Hussey sees this part of the house as of 16th century date on the strength of its low beamed ceiling (now plastered).
SUMMARY:
Overall, the plan of the drawing room range and the two wings is very reminiscent of a medieval hall-and-cross-wings house. Although there have been so many remodellings that evidence is hard to come by, it would seem likely that the late medieval house was of this form, or at least a hall with a tower solar at its west end. The will of Robert Clavering, made in 1582, describes Callaly as 'my manor house' which would seem to imply something more than a solitary tower. (12)
After a fire in 1906, wall paintings were uncovered which had probably been taken out of the Great Hall and used for tacking canvas onto the wall. Old Elizabethan painted panelling was found behind plaster in the Morning Room in 1934 and was decorated with flowers and foliage. (13)
The pele tower was built shortly before 1415 as the main residence of the Clavering family. Sir John Clavering commissioned Robert Trollope to build a great hall adjoining the tower in 1619. In 1749 the West wall of the tower was replaced, a new wall being built within it, which explains its asymmetrical appearance. (14a-b)
Castle at Callaly. (2)
Listed in the Survey of 1415 as 'Castrum de Kaloule vet' occupied by Sir John Clavering. (Kaloule vet' ie Old Callaly probably refers to the Castle Hill and not the Tower of Callaly. Sir John Clavering of Callaly, died 4 HEN VI). A tower of the Claverings is mentioned in the Survey of 1541 as being in good repair. (3)
On the hilltop castle being abandoned a settlement was made on the present site. Of this medieval house no trace remains except some parts of the great tower encased in the south wing of the later mansion. This tower seems to have measured about 39 feet by 42 feet overall, and to have had turrets or smaller towers attached to its east and west diagonally opposite corners. It is said to have had a vaulted basement, and the vault was probably in more than one span.
In 1619 Sir John Clavering modernised the castle. A fireplace in a modern wall in the south wing is part of his work, bearing the date 1619. Some built-up openings on the north-east side of the south wing and in the main building show that he built, or altered, a wing stretching north-eastwards on the site of the present great drawing room.
In 1676 Robert Clavering rebuilt the north-east wing which now became the principal part of the mansion with an entrance door in the centre of its front. (It is possible that this wing occupies the site of the great hall of the original castle.) The 1676 front is three storeys high. In 1707 John Clavering added a wing projecting south-eastwards, and balancing the old south wing.
This is a piece of fully developed English Renaissance work. As the park wall bears the date 1704, it was probably at this time that the park was enclosed, and the cottages of Callaly moved away to a new site. Further alterations were made, between 1727 and 1787, which entirely altered the whole character of the castle.
The north-west wing is early Georgian, and was added soon after 1727. About 1740 an attempt was made to bring the whole south-east face into harmony, and a level cornice and parapet similar to that on the 1707 wing was run across the 1676 facade, and continued around the old tower. The tower's twin gables were taken away, and its walls were replaced with new stonework, concealing all the medieval and Jacobean features. In 1750 a private chapel was added. In 1757 the 1676 buildings was gutted, the two storeys made into one. In 1776 the stable court and offices were built. Further additions were made in the 19th century. In 1837-1843, the south-western third of the old tower wing was taken down, reducing its width to 31 feet, and at the same time, gutted and reconstructed with two storeys instead of three. No further alterations have been made since 1893. (4)
The oldest date is 1676 on a dial, which probably belongs to an older structure. Centrally placed on the front, facing south is the date 1707 with initials RMC, the same date and intials appear on the western face of the eastern wing. Above a door on the back part of the house is a shield dated 1727 with the initials RC. (5)
The medieval tower forms part of the west wing of the present mansion. A new wing was added in 1890, and the old private chapel of the Claverings was restored. This was a Catholic oratory. A priest appears to have been in continuous residence at Callaly, a centre of Catholicism, and after the Reformation no doubt a 'priests hole' was devised somewhere in the old building. (6)
NU 05250986 The external features of the castle are as described by authority (4). The stone bearing the date 1707, correctly sited by authority (5), has the intials JAC and not RMC. No work earlier than the 17th century is visible externally. The line of the hipped roof in the south west wing suggests that at one time it extended further to the south west, as stated by authority (4).
The sundial referred to by authority (5) appears to be 'in situ', and not part of an earlier structure, as suggested. The architecture of the south face with its windows surmounted by open pediments is typical late 17th century. Also on this south face, over the central doorway are the intials RMC standing for Robert Clavering who rebuilt this wing - see authority (4).
The building is in excellent condition and in use as a residence. (7)
Condition unchanged. (8)
Apart from the pele-tower, forming the west wing, no other part shows evidence of fortification. The house reflects outstanding internal and external architecture of several periods, and although still privately owned, is open to the public from Whitsun until September. (9)
The remains of the pele-tower comprise the north, east and south walls, c.7ft thick, but no original detail is visible as both internal and external wallings have been altered and refaced. See guide book and ground photographs. (10)
Callaly Castle, Grade I. Country house. 14th century and later, additions by Robert Trollope in 1676, various 15th century dates and 1890 by Mr Stephenson of Berwick.
The projecting wing to the left was a pele tower with walls 7ft thick refaced in 1749 in ashlar with sash windows. The west wall was rebuilt c.1840. The projecting wing to the right is dated 1707 but it could be older. The walls are 4ft thick and there is old masonry in its east wall. (11)
Callaly Castle contains an uncertain amount of medieval fabric alongside the 17th and 18th century work. The main front of the house faces south east and has a five-bay frontage of 1676 by Trollope, between two projecting wings. The west wing incorporates a large medieval tower. The house was subdivided into a number of units in 1987.
WEST WING:
Little medieval fabric is in evidence today. Externally, the walls have been completely refaced in the 18th and 19th centuries and internally they are largely plastered. The well of a newel stair remains at the north east corner, containing a later timber stair. At first floor level a large recess at the south east corner presumably relates to one of the turrets or corner towers referred to in the NCH.
Only at attic level is old masonry exposed, but the situation here is complex. The east wall shows the stub of a cut-away cross wall, whilst the sawn off stub of a spine beam on the north clearly predates the present roof trusses, which in turn have been modified when the west wall was moved in c.1840. There are also old features, probably pre-1749 windows, in the south wall.
CENTRAL BLOCK:
This now contains the drawing room, with its spectactular plasterwork of 1857, at ground floor level. The south elevation is entirely Trollope's work, but older masonry remains in the north wall. NCH dates this on the strength of a re-set frieze, or overmantel (now in the first floor bedroom in the west wing) to 1619. The one old feature exposed is a window, now internal, at second floor level, close to the west end of the wall. This has been of two lights, but the mullion has been carefully cut away; the surround has both wave and ovolo mouldings and could be of later 16th or early 17th century date.
EAST WING:
Although the fenestration of this wing is of 1707 (dated lintel to ground floor south window) all the windows are clearly inserted in older fabric: walls of squared stone around 1m thick. In 1934 two pieces of painted Elizabethan panelling were found behind early 18th century panelling here.
This is a three-storeyed block running north from the east end of the drawing room and forms the recessed centre portion of the west front. Several different masonry types are visible on this elevation; the main central three-bay section seems to predate the southern bay, which contains a doorway dated '1727'. Although the NCH dates this wing to the 18th century, Hussey sees this part of the house as of 16th century date on the strength of its low beamed ceiling (now plastered).
SUMMARY:
Overall, the plan of the drawing room range and the two wings is very reminiscent of a medieval hall-and-cross-wings house. Although there have been so many remodellings that evidence is hard to come by, it would seem likely that the late medieval house was of this form, or at least a hall with a tower solar at its west end. The will of Robert Clavering, made in 1582, describes Callaly as 'my manor house' which would seem to imply something more than a solitary tower. (12)
After a fire in 1906, wall paintings were uncovered which had probably been taken out of the Great Hall and used for tacking canvas onto the wall. Old Elizabethan painted panelling was found behind plaster in the Morning Room in 1934 and was decorated with flowers and foliage. (13)
The pele tower was built shortly before 1415 as the main residence of the Clavering family. Sir John Clavering commissioned Robert Trollope to build a great hall adjoining the tower in 1619. In 1749 the West wall of the tower was replaced, a new wall being built within it, which explains its asymmetrical appearance. (14a-b)
N2751
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; D A Davies
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; D Smith
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; D Smith
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