Castlefacts³

Castelhous, Mainsforth

Has been described as a Rejected Uncertain

There are no visible remains

Name	Castelhous, Mainsforth
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Durham
Modern Authority	Durham
1974 Authority	County Durham
Civil Parish	Bishop Middleham

A "messuage called Castelhous" was mentioned in 1385 after the death of John de Herdwyk. Likely to take its name from Bishop Middleham castle rather than to be a fortification, but possibly fortified precursor of Mainsforth Hall. (Jackson)

But the chief free estate in Mainsforth became vested not long after Hatfield's Survey in the family of Herdwyk; an inquest on John de Herdwyk, Thursday after St. Michael, 1397, affords a very particular description of the ancient village. “The chief messuage, the toft and croft, and twenty-four acres called Coxhous. A toft and six acres called Kellawhous, held of the Bishop by homage, fealty, and no rent beside, val. 13s. 4d. A messuage and eighteen acres called Waytesplace, held by knight's service and 3s. 4d. val. 3s. 4d. A messuage called Castelhous and one oxgang, by knight's service and 3s. 4d. val. 2s. Sixteen acres once of Peter Dautre, by 1s. 4d. val. 12d.” (Surtees)

Gatehouse Comments

The site can not be securely identified. Jackson suggests a precursor to Mainsforth Hall, although the full quotes from Surtees would seem to suggest this was Coxhous. What is clear is that 'castelhous' was not sufficiently funded or of sufficient social status to be fortified. However, in the absence of other suggestions and evidence this is used as the map reference. Mainsforth Hall, the family seat of the Surtees family (including the historian) was demolished in the 1960s.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record

www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=841

OS Map Grid Reference	NZ314315
Latitude	54.6776390075684
Longitude	-1.51391005516052
Eastings	431400
Northings	531500