Low Stokoe Tower

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

There are no visible remains

NameLow Stokoe Tower
Alternative Names
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishFalstone

A pele formerly stood at Low Stokoe (MacLauchlan 1867).

The only traces of this tower that remain to mark its site are a number of foundation stones embedded in the earth immediately to the north of Low Stokoe farmhouse (NY 73958605) (F1 FDC 05-JUL-56).

Low Stokoe is a farmhouse with outbuildings, situated upon low-lying ground 350.0m north of the River North Tyne. The ground rises steeply to the north and visiblility is limited in that direction, and likewise so to east and west along the river valley on account of the flatness of the terrain. No traces of a pele were seen. The traces, referred to by Clarke apparently apply to an area of flagstones set in the ground 10.0m north of the farmhouse. They bear no signs of association with the remains of a pele tower. Mrs Bousfield, tenant-farmer's wife, of Low Stokoe, has no knowledge of the Pele (F2 ASP 20-JUL-56). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The list of 'Pele Towers' given by an old resident to MacLauchlan were probably all pele-houses (i.e. bastles - the term 'pele' causing some confusion) but the archaeological databases record this as a possible site of a 'pele tower'. Low Stokoe is an entirely probably site for a pele-house but rather less likely as the site for a gentry status hall with attached chamber tower (Pele Tower). The current farmhouse is C19 but may well sit on the footprint of a C17 pelehouse.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY739860
Latitude55.1682891845703
Longitude-2.41174006462097
Eastings373950
Northings586050
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Calculate Print

Books

  • MacLauchlan, H., 1867, Notes not included in the memoirs already published on Roman roads in Northumberland: taken during a survey made by direction of the Duke of Northumberland (London) p. 73 online copy

Other

  • H F Clarke Essex Arch Soc (Author of The Towers & Fortified Houses of Northum 1905-1956 Private Work. Unpublished)