St Columb Major; The Old Rectory

Has been described as a Possible Pele Tower

There are earthwork remains

NameSt Columb Major; The Old Rectory
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCornwall
Modern AuthorityCornwall
1974 AuthorityCornwall
Civil ParishSt Columb Major

At St Columb Major the buildings of the moated rectory were replaced in the last century, but traces of the moat remain, enclosing an area 40m square. In 1309 the rectory withstood siege by a mob of tinners (Henderson, 1930, 9). It was probably built by Ralph de Arundell, rector from 1303 to 1329, a relative of the powerful Arundells of Lanherne. (Preston-Jones and Rose p. 173)

The old parsonage house was built and moated round with rivers and fishponds in the second half of the 15th century by John Arundell. (PastScape–ref. Polsue)

Gatehouse Comments

Salter thinks perhaps a tower like Gidleigh. Grade 2-star C19 building on site. Since this was a rectory tower it fits this sites definition of a pele tower, rather than a tower house, although it may have been quite sizeable. However, it may be possible the moat dated from the C15 and the nature of the early C14 house is unclear.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2* 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 ReferenceSW911639
Latitude50.437801361084
Longitude-4.94220018386841
Eastings191160
Northings63900
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 1999, The Castles of Devon and Cornwall (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 35
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 77
  • Henderson, C., 1930, St Columb Major, Church and Parish p. 9
  • Polsue, J., 1867, A complete parochial history of the county of Cornwall (William Lake, Truro & John Camden Hotten, London) Vol. 1 p. 227 online copy
  • Hals, W., 1740, The Compleat History of Cornwall

Antiquarian

  • Harvey, J.H. (ed), 1969, Itineraries (of) William Worcestre (Clarendon Press) p. 23

Journals

  • Preston-Jones, Ann and Rose, Peter, 1986, 'Medieval Cornwall' Cornish Archaeology Hendhyscans Kernow Vol. 25 p. 135-185 online copy