Castlefacts³

Kirkcambeck

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (RingworkMotte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

Name	Kirkcambeck
Alternative Names	Kirk Cambock; Howdale
Historic Country	Cumberland
Modern Authority	Cumbria
1974 Authority	Cumbria
Civil Parish	Askerton

Jackson suggests the churchyard of Kirkcambeck occupies possible triangular ringwork.

Motte :- Site (?) of 12th cent. capital messuage at Howdale, 1/3m. W. of church. (Collingwood 1923)

Gatehouse Comments

Collingwood suggests, tentatively, a site at Howdale (approx NY527690) although slight mounds beside farms have to been considered with much care. Jackson appears to have somewhat more authority although neither site are recorded in the archaeological databases and both sites have to be considered doubtful. Between 1154-89 Alfred Cammork had a 'capital messuage' here but the site is unknown. In 1295 the manor was held for an eighth of a knight's fee which suggests a manor too small for even a modest castle. The Close Roll of 4 March 1307 has two entries dated from Cambok (Kirkcambeck) which have been taken as meaning there must have been a substantial building (including earlier versions of this web page) capable of hosting the king and retinue although it may just be the king stopped on the journey to Carlisle just for a short period of rest and to sign (seal) some pre-prepared documents.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record

maps.cumbria.gov.uk/eggp/eggp.aspx?dept=Environment&scriptname=1%20Historic%20Environment

OS Map Grid Reference	NY533689
Latitude	55.012939453125
Longitude	-2.73088002204895
Eastings	353300
Northings	568900