Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Bothal Castle
Hob Uid: 25356
Location : Northumberland Ashington
Grid Ref : NZ2399086490
Summary : The castle is situated at the end of a natural spur with steep slopes on all sides except the north. A castle was first built here in circa 1150 and in 1343 a licence to crenellate was granted to Sir Robert de Ogle. The gate tower and fragments of curtain wall date to this period. The castle was extensively restored in the last decade of the 19th century. The castle is in an excellent state of repair and is used as a private residence and as offices by the agent of the Duke of Portland.
More information : [NZ 2399 8649] Bothal Castle [GT] (1) Built c.1150 AD. A promontory level towards N, but the other three sides are protected by steep slopes to the river & a ravine in the E. There is no sign of a mound & there may never have been one, but only an enclosure protected by stockaded ramparts of earth & a fortified gateway on the N protected by ditch & mound. There is no masonry now visible earlier than C13th. (2) License for crenallation granted to Sir Robt de Ogle in 1343, heraldic arms carved in the battlements substantiate this date. (3-4) Bothal Castle which is still known as such was extensively restored about 60 years ago. It is scheduled as an ancient monument and is the property of the Duke of Portland.(5a) Bothal Castle is situated at the end of a natural spur with steep slopes on all sides except the north. The castle consists of the original gatehouse with modern buildings to the west and fragments of the old curtain wall to the south. It is an excellent repair and is used as a private residence and as offices of the agent of the Duke of Portland. Lack of literary evidence and the extensive renovations make it difficult to date this castle. The architectural features of the gatehouse indicate a probable 14th c date. There are no traces of any 12th c building or of the ditch and mound mentioned in T2. (5) Condition unchanged. Published survey 1/2 500 correct. (6) Grade I, Bothal Castle A well-known mediaeval monument, partially enlarged and modernised as a dwelling. The most important feature is the early C14 gate-tower with a fine set of carved armorial shields: it was built in 1343 and is in good preservation. A good deal of the curtain wall remains, and traces of the buildings attached to it. See Cadwalade Bates Border Holds. Vol. I. (7) Bothal Castle; Gatehouse, adjacent wing to west and remains of curtain wall, Grade I. Estate Office and attached outbuildings around stable yard incorporating some medieval watling, Grade II. (See list for details) (8) Listed by Cathcart King. (9) Historical information. (10)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1924
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Page(s) : 147-48
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Source Number : 10
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Page(s) : 216-7
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Hist of Northum P1 2 2 1832 151 ff (J Hodgson)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : 'Borderland Castles and Peles.' 1939 45-47 (R Hugill)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 EG 18-MAR-54
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Source Number : 5a
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Source details : Oral Mr Beatey (18.3.54) Agent Welbeck Estates Co Ltd, Bothal Castle
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : F2 BHP 29-MAR-71
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : MHLG (Prov HHR) Ashington UD Northum July 1947 2
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : DOE(HHR) District of Wansbeck Northum 18 Dec 1986 53-55
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Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 328-9
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Vol(s) : 2

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Documented 1150
Monument End Date : 1160
Monument Start Date : 1140
Monument Type : Castle
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Documented in 1343
Monument End Date : 1343
Monument Start Date : 1343
Monument Type : Castle, Gatehouse, Curtain Wall
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Restored 1890-1899
Monument End Date : 1899
Monument Start Date : 1890
Monument Type : Gatehouse, Curtain Wall, Castle
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 235949
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 235950
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 235951
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 110930
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 28 NW 7
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1954-03-18
End Date : 1954-03-18

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1971-03-29
End Date : 1971-03-29