Heiferlaw Tower

From Wikishire
Jump to: navigation, search
Heiferlaw Tower

Northumberland

Heiferlaw Tower (geograph 1685400).jpg
Heiferlaw Tower
Type: Pele tower
Location
Grid reference: NU18271771
Location: 55°27’11"N, 1°42’46"W
Village: South Charlton
History
Built 1470 - 1489
Information
Condition: Ruinous

Heiferlaw Tower is a ruined, roofless pele tower in Northumberland, which stands two miles south-east of South Charlton on the slopes of Heifer Law.

The tower was built by the monks of Alnwick Abbey,[1] and its elevated location allowed to serve as a look-out tower in case of raids by reivers or invaders.

The tower is 23 feet high and measures 24 feet by 29 feet externally. It is built from stone blocks each over three feet thick. There are three floors: ground, first and second. A panel within the tower displays the arms of Alnwick Abbey and the House of Percy: the appearance of a pair of fetterlocks in the latter dates it to the time of the 4th Earl of Northumberland (who also built the towerhouse at Hulne Priory).

Today the tower is a Scheduled Monument and a Grade I Listed Building.[2]

Outside links

References

  1. National Monuments Record: No. 6862 – Heiferlaw Tower
  2. Heiferlaw Tower - British Listed Buildings
  • Hugill, R. 'Borderland Castles and Peles', p. 112