Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Wolsty Castle
Hob Uid: 9669
Location : Cumbria Allerdale Holme Low
Grid Ref : NY1048050590
Summary : The castle was constructed during the first half of the 14th century to defend Holme Cultrum Abbey and was ruinous by 1572. Repair work was carried out in the 1630s, but by the latter half of the 17th century the castle had been demolished. There are earthwork remains of a dry moat and traces on the island of building foundations and robber trenches. There are are two upstanding blocks of masonry showing that the castle's walls were over 2m thick. Scheduled.
More information : (NY 10485059) Wolsty Castle (NR) (Remains of) [NAT] (1) Wolsty Castle was built to protect the Abbey of Holm Cultram from attack by the Scots. Attacks in 1216 and 1322 are quoted but no date of construction is given. The castle had permit to crenellate in 1348. It presumably surrendered in March 1537 as part of the Abbey possessions. The castle appears to have been in ruins in the 15th century, and in 1663 the building material was taken to Carlisle. All that now remains is a wide and deep moat, surrounding an area 65 x 60 yards. A large block of masonry lying on the northern side shows that the curtain wall was at least seven feet thick. A gap in the foundations on the western side may mark the entrance. (2-3) A medieval chapel mentioned in the manor rolls as being at Wolsty, was probably situated in the castle, although a comprehensive survey of the castle of 1572 fails to mention it. (4) Resurveyed at 1:2500. (5) (NY 10485059) Wolsty Castle NR) (site of) (NAT) (6) NY 104506. Wolsty Castle, scheduled. (7) Wolsty castle was constructed during the first half of the 14th century to defend Holme Cultrum Abbey and was ruinous by 1572. Repair work was carried out in the 1630s, but by the latter half of the 17th century the castle had been demolished. There are earthwork remains of a dry moat and traces on the island of building foundations and robber trenches. There are are two upstanding blocks of masonry showing that the castle's walls were over 2m thick. (8) Demolition date of 1652 given by Cathcart King. (9) Documentary evidence records the castle as consisting of a tower, curtain walls, gatehouse, hall, courtyard ranges and a moat. (10) The site of the castle and moat was seen and mapped from air photographs. (11-12)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1957
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Source Number : 2
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Page(s) : 35-40
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Vol(s) : 11, 1911

Source Number : 11
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Source details : NMR NY 1050/36 (12918/51) 12-AUG-1996
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Source Number : 12
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Source details : NY1050/10 GBJ 13486/21 01-Jan-1975
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : (JF Curwen)
Page(s) : 241-3
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Vol(s) : 13, 1913

Source Number : 4
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Source details : (F Grainger)
Page(s) : 344
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Vol(s) : 2, 1902

Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 BHP 22-NOV-68
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : 1:10 000 1972
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : DOE (IAM) Ancient Monuments England 1 1978
Page(s) : 18
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : 31-Aug-95
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Source Number : 9
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Source details :
Page(s) : 91
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Vol(s) : Jan-83

Source Number : 10
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Source details :
Page(s) : 28
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Vol(s) : vol.29

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1349
Monument Start Date : 1300
Monument Type : Castle, Moat
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : ruinous
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1572
Monument Type : Castle
Evidence : Earthwork, Demolished Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : repaired
Monument End Date : 1639
Monument Start Date : 1630
Monument Type : Castle
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : demolished
Monument End Date : 1699
Monument Start Date : 1650
Monument Type : Castle, Curtain Wall, Great Hall, Keep, Gatehouse, Moat
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 27666
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : CU 348
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : CU 77
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Cumbria)
External Cross Reference Number : 366
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NY 15 SW 5
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1968-11-22
End Date : 1968-11-22

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 2002-01-01
End Date : 2008-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Wolsty Castle