Rattenraw Bastle (Rochester and Byrness)
(NY 85099526) Peel (GT) (Remains of). (1)
Pele at Rattenraw. (2)
The north west and north east walls of the tower stand to a max height of 1.5m on the interior, 2.5m on the exterior. There are no traces of the other two sides.
The walls are of massive stones, and indicate an original thickness of approx 1.6m. The tower was approx 8.5m long east-west, and 7m wide north-south. The remains are now incorporated into a field stone dyke.
The site is at approx 570ft above OD and commands the valley of the River Rede to the north and south east.
The Rattenraw Burn provides some natural defence upon the west and north sides at a distance of 20m. The open moorland to the west rises gently.
There is no evidence for dating, but pele towers in Northumberland are usually medieval or late medieval. (3)
The north west wall has now partially collapsed, otherwise as described. From the existing remains it is impossible to decide whether the building was a tower or a bastle. (4)
NY 850952 Remains of bastle. (See Type Site NY 88 SE 14). (5)
No architectural features survive. (6)
Additional reference. (7)
Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (8a,b)
Pele at Rattenraw. (2)
The north west and north east walls of the tower stand to a max height of 1.5m on the interior, 2.5m on the exterior. There are no traces of the other two sides.
The walls are of massive stones, and indicate an original thickness of approx 1.6m. The tower was approx 8.5m long east-west, and 7m wide north-south. The remains are now incorporated into a field stone dyke.
The site is at approx 570ft above OD and commands the valley of the River Rede to the north and south east.
The Rattenraw Burn provides some natural defence upon the west and north sides at a distance of 20m. The open moorland to the west rises gently.
There is no evidence for dating, but pele towers in Northumberland are usually medieval or late medieval. (3)
The north west wall has now partially collapsed, otherwise as described. From the existing remains it is impossible to decide whether the building was a tower or a bastle. (4)
NY 850952 Remains of bastle. (See Type Site NY 88 SE 14). (5)
No architectural features survive. (6)
Additional reference. (7)
Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (8a,b)
N8158
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
20th Century (1901 to 2000)
20th Century (1901 to 2000)
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1956; A S Phillips
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; D Smith
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; D Smith
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