Castlefacts³

Greenchester Pele, Otterburn

Has been described as a Possible Pele Tower, and also as a Possible Bastle

There are no visible remains

Name	Greenchester Pele, Otterburn
Alternative Names	The Holt
Historic Country	Northumberland
Modern Authority	Northumberland
1974 Authority	Northumberland
Civil Parish	Otterburn

The deserted medieval village of Greenchester is visible here as earthworks. Documents written in 1728 mention the ruins of a pele tower at this location, although no remains of this building have been found. (Keys to the Past)

There has been an old tower of the usual kind (pele) at Greenchester. The present village of half a dozen cottages stands on the high ground (Horsley 1728-9; Clarke).

The only remains (presumably of Greenchester) are the turf-covered foundations of a single range of buildings at NY 87159446. These appear to represent the site of one or two cottages with an associated garth and circular pond. Nothing about the foundations suggests the former existence of a tower, neither do they merit the title of 'village', although remains may have been more extensive in Horsley's time (F1 RE 17-NOV-70). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

It may well be that, at this location, the old 'pele' was a pele-house (i.e. a bastle) rather than a gentry status pele tower. What were the actual words written by Horsley? Did he use the term 'tower' or is that a later assumption? What was Horsley source? Did that source use the term 'tower' or did Horsley assume 'pele' meant tower?

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

17434

County Historic Environment Record

www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N8281

OS Map Grid Reference	NY871944
Latitude	55.2441482543945
Longitude	-2.20370006561279
Eastings	387150
Northings	594460