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RADCLIFFE TOWER

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DESCRIPTION

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The surviving part of a manor house rebuilt in 1403 with a stone-built hall and two towers. By 1781 it was a two storeyed timber house with one ruinous tower. The house was demolished in the 19th century, leaving the tower standing. It was later used as a pig sty before being restored. Amateur excavations on the site have revealed the presence of a moat.

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(SD 7958 0751) Tower (NR) (In ruins) (1)

The manor house at Radcliffe was rebuilt in 1403 and a hall and two towers of stone erected. In 1781 it was a two storied house of timber and plaster with gabled roofs and ruinous tower. The house was taken down in the 19th century and the ruinous tower, probably from 1403, is all that remains. It is 50ft long and 28ft wide externally with walls 5ft thick and of two storeys with maximum height of 30 feet. There is no trace of the second tower. (2)

The remains of the tower measure 9.1m wide by 15.4 long and are standing to a substantial height, see photograph. The tower is now used as a pig sty, there being no trace of other buildings. (3)

The remains of the tower have been renovated and protected by iron railings. (4)

Radcliffe Tower. Remains of stone rectangular tower rebuilt in 1403. Grade 1. (5)

Radcliffe Tower
I
Remains of a rectangular tower rebuilt in 1403 by James de Radcliffe. Coursed squared stone, perhaps originally Ashlar. 10 1/2 yds by 19 yds and about 20ft high. Low almost round-headed arch on north, south and east sides. 2-centre-headed door. Way on west side. (6)

Amateur excavations in recent years have revealed the presence of a previously unconfirmed moat at Redcliffe (sic) Tower (SD 7958 0751). (7)

Additional references (not consulted). (8-9)

On the eastern side of the tower there are 2 blocked windows at ground level, a string course survives at first floor height, a plinth 1.3m high survives along the northern portion of this wall. On the western wall a plinth 1.3m high survives for 4m southwards from the north west corner, a string course is visible at first floor height. Also on this wall is a gable with a roof crease which would indicate the structure once extended westwards. The plinth was also visible on the northern wall. The portals on the northern, southern and eastern sides are now blocked with mortared sandstone, the door on the western side is sealed by an iron grille. The interior was not investigated. The structure is now surrounded by landscaped grassland, there are no traces of any associated earthworks. (10)

Radcliffe Tower and the site of the Hall scheduled, SAM No. GM 9. (11)

Listed by Cathcart King. (12)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" Prov 1927-38

( 2a) General reference

Whitakers "Hist of Whalley"

( 2b) General reference

View of buildings (1781) drawn by H Wyatt

( 2) edited by William Farrer and J. Brownbill 1911 The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster, volume five

The Victoria history of the counties of England Victoria County History, Lancs 5 1911 59 61 illus Page(s)59 61

( 3) Field Investigators Comments

F1 JHO 04-JUN-52

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F2 ISS 03-FEB-76

( 5) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE (HHR) Radcliffe MB Oct 1965 1

( 6) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE (HHR) Boro of Bury Gtr Manchester, 29.1.85, 21

( 7) Moated Sites Research Group report

Moated Sites Research Group Rpt 9 1982 (Ed D Wilson) 9

( 8) edited by J S F Walker, A S Tindall 1985 Country houses of Greater Manchester

The Archaeology of Greater Manchester Walker and Tyndall (eds). Country Houses of Greater Manchester

( 9) General reference

Greater Manchester Archaeol J 1 1985 39-53

(10) Field Investigators Comments

F3 WDC 15-DEC-86

(11) English Heritage 1995 County list of Scheduled Monuments : March 1994

English Heritage SAM List Manchester March 1994 4. Page(s)4

(12) by David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the islands. Volume I : Anglesey - Montgomery

Page(s)247

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