Torksey Castle

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NameTorksey Castle
Alternative NamesTorkesey
Historic CountryLincolnshire
Modern AuthorityLincolnshire
1974 AuthorityLincolnshire
Civil ParishTorksey

Country house, now a ruin. The west facade and part of the rear wall only survive. 1560. Coursed lias and limestone rubble, red brick in English bond, all with ashlar dressings and some diaper work in blue brick headers. 3 storey 7 bay front, arranged with 4 single projecting facetted bays which rise full height and were taller than the 3 intervening bays which were topped by crow stepped gables, only the left hand one of which survives. Plinth, moulded first floor string course and bands to towers. The lowest storey is in stone and has an irregular pattern of fenestration comprising single, 2, and 3 light windows. The central bay is missing at ground level and the upper work is supported on a later brick pier. Above the central bay to either side are 2 corbelled out chimney backs with moulded stone corbels, between these is set a 3 light window. To the left are 2 similar windows, one contained in a projecting tower. The furthermost projecting tower has a 4 light window flanked by single similar windows on the facets. To the right the first tower has single openings with hood moulds, the second tower has 2 light windows with hood moulds to front face and facets; between the towers is a further 3 light window. To the second floor two 2 light windows survive in 2 of the gables,and 2 light and single openings to 3 of the towers. All windows are stone cross mullioned except the 2 in the gables. The inside wall shows 2 original fireplaces, one with a 4 centred moulded arched surround with sunk spandrels. The other with flat lintels and moulded ashlar surround having a slightly projecting ledge. In the tower, to the left of the central bay are the sockets for a turning stair which emerged at first floor level through a 4 centred arched doorway. To the rear at ground floor level is a broad 4 centred arched kitchen fireplace. At first floor is a 4 centred arched fireplace with moulded surround terminating in Tudor rose stops with foliated spandrels

The house was built by Sir Robert Jermyn and slighted during the Civil War. A drawing by Nattes of 1793 in the Banks collection shows the west facade in its ruinous condition. (Listed Building Report)

Gatehouse Comments

A domestic house with some military styling; a 'castle of chivalry'. However, Torksey was an important medieval town and there is a possibility there was a motte somewhere here.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK836787
Latitude53.2994003295898
Longitude-0.746879994869232
Eastings483600
Northings378700
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 53° 17' 57.44" Longitude 0° 44' 48.63"

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Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 54° 10' 10" Longitude -1° 22' 23.58"

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Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 54° 10' 10" Longitude -1° 22' 23.58"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 54° 10' 10" Longitude -1° 22' 23.58"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 54° 10' 10" Longitude -1° 22' 23.58"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 54° 10' 10" Longitude -1° 22' 23.58"

View full Sized Image

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • Goodall, John, 2011, The English Castle 1066-1650 (Yale University Press) p. 458
  • Osborne, Mike, 2010, Defending Lincolnshire: A Military History from Conquest to Cold War (The History Press) p. 21, 24, 86, 87
  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 68
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 265 (reject)
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus, 1964, Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Harmondsworth) p. 406-7 (later building)
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 233 online copy

Journals

  • Barley, M.W., 1964, 'The Medieval Borough of Torksey: Excavations, 1960-2' Antiquaries Journal Vol. 44 p. 168

Other

  • Historic England, 2016, Heritage at Risk East Midlands Register 2016 (London: Historic England) p. 44 online copy
  • Historic England, 2015, Heritage at Risk East Midlands Register 2015 (London: Historic England) p. 45 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2014, Heritage at Risk Register 2014 East Midlands (London: English Heritage) p. 45 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2013, Heritage at Risk Register 2013 East Midlands (London: English Heritage) p. 46 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2012, Heritage at Risk Register 2012 East Midlands (London: English Heritage) p. 56 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2011, Heritage at Risk Register 2011 East Midlands (London: English Heritage) p. 51 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2010, Heritage at Risk Register 2010 East Midlands (London: English Heritage) p. 17 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2009, Heritage at Risk Register 2009 East Midlands (London: English Heritage) p. 51 online copy