Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Bondgate Tower
Hob Uid: 7110
Location : Northumberland Alnwick
Grid Ref : NU1885813229
Summary : 15th century gateway, the only surviving element of the walls of the medieval Borough of Alnwick, mentioned in charters of 1157 and 1185.
More information : (NU 18401345 and NU 18731312) Course of Town Wall. (1) Licence to `wall and embattle' the town of Alnwick was granted in 1433. Fortifying made slow progress, and 50 years elapsed before it was completed. The wall was 6ft thick, and 20ft 6ins high, with four entrances defended by strong towers. See map diagram. (2) Bondgate Tower (see photographs) is all that survives of the town's fortification. (3) (NU 18851323) Gate. (4) Bondgate Within, (east end) - The Hotspur Gateway or Bondgate Tower as built after 1434 (circa 1450) by the 2nd Earl of Northumberland. East gate in former town walls, polygonal on each side of arched thoroughfare on outside, straight front to west. Not crenellated. Rough ashlar. Three stages. Central segmental archway with vaulted passage on 4 wide ribs. East face: remains of large corbels in centre, panel below with much faded lion rampant by a sculptor named Matthew, narrow lookouts. West face: slight set back above 2nd stage, a plain 2 light mullion window above the archway and a blocked cross window to left. There are portcullis slits to the outer arch. Scheduled Ancient Monument. Grade I. (5) A charter of William de Vesci dated between 1157 and 1185, granted to the burgesses of Alnwick the customs of Newcastle. (a) (6-6a) NU 189 132. Bondgate Tower. Scheduled No ND/61. (7) Included in a study of English small towns. (8)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 25" map, 1959
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : History of Alnwick, vol 1, 1866, p 236-244 (G Tate)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Field Investigator, RE, 19-DEC-1969
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : OS 1:2500 map, 1972
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Parish of Alnwick, Northumberland, August 1977, p 11
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Beresford M W and Finberg H P R, English Medieval Boroughs: A handlist, 1973, p 143
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Source Number : 6a
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Source details : Ballard A, British Borough Charters, 1042-1216, 1913, p 25
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : English Heritage SAM List Northumbs March 1994 3
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Source Number : 8
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Page(s) : 36-47
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Town Gate, Town Wall
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ND 61
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 235619
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NU 11 SE 11
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1969-12-19
End Date : 1969-12-19

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2001-01-01
End Date : 2001-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Bondgate Tower