Summary : The remains of a medieval tower house, situated on a steep south west facing slope overlooking the valley of the North Tyne. The monument is visible as a rectangular mound measuring 7 metres north west to south east by 5 metres north east to south west, truncated on the north eastern side by a forestry track. The mound supports the remains of a stone tower which is visible as a section of stone walling at the north western side. The mound is surrounded on three sides by a ditch 1.3 metres deep and on average 6.5 metres wide. Outside the ditch there are the remains of a slight outer bank which, where it is best preserved on the south eastern side, is 1.5 metres wide. The north eastern side of the tower and its supporting mound are buried beneath debris resulting from the construction of the forestry track. The surrounding ditch on this side, which survives below ground level as a buried feature, has been infilled and overlain by the track. Kershope Castle is thought to have been the tower referred to in a document of 1249 when it was associated with one Robert of 'Gresshope'. It is thought that this castle was in existence by the mid-12th century, as a document of 1304 confirms a grant of land in 'Gresshoppa' which was originally made by Malcolm, King of Scotland, who died in 1165. |
More information : NY 6145 9596 Kirshope Castle (NR) (Site of) (NAT). (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 In the same year there was a confirmation of a grant of land in "Gresshoppa", originally made by Malcolm, King of Scotland (died 1165).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)
Situated at NY 6144 9595 on steep SW 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 NW which may possibly be the inner face of a wall of the original tower (See illustration).
Although only the SW 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 E, and NE have now been cleared no traces of the additional buildings referred to by Authority 4 could be located. Surveyed at 1:10 000. (5)
NY 614 960. Kirshope Castle (site of). Scheduled No ND/408. (6,7)
Listed by Cathcart King and Dodds. (8,9) |