WHITTINGHAM TOWER

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DESCRIPTION

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Tower house of the late 13th/early 14th century, altered after 1603 and converted into almshouses in 1845. The birthplace, in 1745, of Henry Ogle, the inventor of the threshing machine.

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[NU 06921188] Tower [GT] (1)

It is doubtful whether any part of the existing tower was standing in 1317, when the "pila" of Whittingham was held by Robert Purvays. More probably the present building is that referred to in a list of 1460 (2) (some authorities give this date as 1415) as belonging to William Heron, but was uninhabited, while in 1541 it belonged to Robert collingwood and was in good repair. (3)

After the Union of the Crowns the tower had its flat roof and
crenellated parapet replaced by twin roofs and a pair of gables and so remained until 1845 when Lady Ravensworth had it converted into almshouses, completely altering its appearance so that the only original external feature visible is the entrance door on the south side. The tower measures externally 42 feet
E-W and 36 feet N-S, and a present height of 40 feet. The ground floor is vaulted, measuring internally 25 feet x 19 feet. There are
traces of a mural stair in the east wall, a passage to the stair
having led from the vestibule inside the front entrance. (2-4)

Description correct. The walling of the lower 2 floors is
original, but the upper floor and all architectural features except
the south door are modern There is a plinth course visible on the north and east wall. In good condition; the building is still in use as an almshouse. (5)

Conditions unchanged but now unoccupied. (6)

Whittingham Tower. Tower house of the late 13th/early 14th century, altered after 1603 and converted into almshouses in 1845. The birthplace, in 1745, of Henry Ogle, the inventor of the threshing machine. Listed Grade II*. (7)

Listed by Cathcart King and Dodds. (8,9)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1926

( 2) General reference

History of Northumberland 1 Part III 1820 28 (J Hodgson)

( 3) General reference

History of Northumberland 2 Part III 1828 210 (J Hodgson)

( 4) Northumberland County History

NCH 14 1935 503-4 illus (Ed M Hope Dodds) 14 Page(s)503-4

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 EG 03-FEB-54

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

F2 DS 18-FEB-70

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

District of Alnwick, 03-SEP-1986

(8) David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume II : Norfolk-Yorkshire and the islands

Page(s)344

(10) Dodds, JF 1999 Bastions and Belligerents: Medieval Strongholds in Northumberland

Page(s)157-9

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