Description

CARTINGTON CARTINGTON NU 00 SW 16/7 Ruins of Cartington Castle 21.10.53 I

Fortified Manor House: Several C14 and early C15 builds; alterations and extensions in late C16 or early C17; partial demolition following 1648 siege, with part of hall range and north-east tower remodelled afterwards; fell into ruins early in C19; excavation, repairs and some restoration 1887 by C.C. Hodges for Lord Armstrong. Squared stone. Plan: Hall range with solar (north-east) tower at east end and rectangular courtyard on south, with C16/17 east range and medieval south-east turret; only traces survive of outer courtyard to north and post-medieval walled orchard to south.

Hall range: South elevation shows chamfered and moulded plinths, and projecting semi-octagonal stair turret with chamfered setbacks and loops; left moulded ground-floor doorway, partly restored; right inserted C16/17 lst-floor door. On far right remains of C16/17 stair projection. Scattered fenestration includes 3 large 2-light windows of 1887, re-using old materials but not all in correct positions. Other outer walls of range only stand to 1st floor level, with several chamfered doorways and loops; on north the lower part of a large flying buttress. Interior: tower basement has 3 barrel-vaulted chambers and well shaft; eastern of 3 rooms beneath hall retains part of its segmental vault. Wall between tower and hall stands to 3-storey height. Several original doorways, fireplaces and stairs including full-height newel stair in turret.

Walls around courtyard: East wall stands to lst floor level, with inserted C16/17 doorway and window; outer walls of east range ruined. South-east turret has barrel-vaulted chamber and projection with lst-floor garderobe. 2-metre high south wall is post-medieval reconstruction except for traces of tower, perhaps original gatehouse, at west end. Cl7 west wall has central gateway with rusticated piers, the southern retaining part of its moulded cap. Inside courtyard, remains of detached C16/17 stair to let-floor hall range, and foundations of demolished range of similar date.

Historical notes: Built for the Cartington family (licence to crenellate 1441). In 1494 it passed by marriage to the Radcliffes and later to the Widdringtons, Sir Edward Widdrington holding it briefly for the King in the 1648 siege. Detailed description by H.L. Honeyman in Northumberland County History XV, 375-80 (1940).

Listing NGR: NU0387804533

External Links

• Cartington Castle at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5047356

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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