Collin Bank

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

There are no visible remains

NameCollin Bank
Alternative NamesWilleava; Willyavye
Historic CountryCumberland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishAskerton

On the Side Fell, south of Collin Bank, is a grassy mound on which stood a 15th/16th c Pele, the foundations of which are still clearly traceable (Curwen).

The platformed area at Collin Bank 50' x 46' with a smaller rectangle 32' x 11' adjoining on the SE represent the remains of a tenement existing in 1603 (Ramm, McDowall and Mercer).

Fragments of turf-covered foundations 0.1m to 0.2m in height are all that remains (Field Investigators Comments F1 BHP 14-JUL-72).

Ill-defined turf covered wall footings are still evident measuring 14.0m north-south by 12.0m transversely about 0.2m maximum height, with a sub-divided outbuilding on the southeast (Field Investigators Comments F2 ISS 22-MAY-79). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

King wrote 'Tower fragmentary'. Perriam & Robinson write this was the Willeava included in 1603 survey. Not a gentry status site. Clearly a pele-house not a pele-tower.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY574729
Latitude55.0493316650391
Longitude-2.66723990440369
Eastings357470
Northings572960
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Perriam, Denis and Robinson, John, 1998, The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 29) p. 144
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 84, 94
  • Ramm, H.G., McDowall, R.W. and Mercer, E., 1970, Shielings and Bastles (London) p. 47 No. 189
  • Curwen, J.F., 1913, Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 13) p. 408

Journals

  • Maughan, J., 1854, 'The Maiden Way' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 11 p. 17-18 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Graham, T. H. B. (ed.). 1934, The barony of Gilsland. Lord William Howard's survey, taken in 1603 (Feild-Booke yt explaines all the Map Booke for Gilsland taken in 1603) (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 16)