Randylands

Has been described as a Possible Bastle

There are no visible remains

NameRandylands
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCumberland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishBurtholme

Milecastle 54 is situated on a west facing slope overlooking the Burtholme Beck 230m to the west. It survives as a slight turf covered platform with its remains buried below the surface. Excavations in 1933-4 by Simpson and Richmond showed that the milecastle measured 23.8m north to south by 19.85m across. The western barrack block comprised two rooms, one fitted with stone benches, a hearth and millstone. Below the stone milecastle were found remains of the earlier turf milecastle built in beaten clay. (Scheduling Report)

There is no evidence that the Wall was reused {in the C16}, but perhaps the Milecastles were. Although there is no direct evidence the Milecastles would have made convenient barmkins. (Perriam and Robinson 1998)

Gatehouse Comments

Listed as a possible stonehouse site by Perriam and Robinson. No mention of possible bastle in PastScape record. Scheduled but possible stonehouse not mentioned in scheduling report. Perriam and Robinson term 'stonehouse' is used for small but thick-walled houses but not of a strict pele-house form, usually because the ground floor was residential rather than a byre house. The site is now a field but a building is shown on the 1868 six inch OS map. What was the form and date of this building?

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY550644
Latitude54.972541809082
Longitude-2.70355010032654
Eastings355060
Northings564400
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Books

  • Perriam, Denis and Robinson, John, 1998, The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 29) p. 133
  • Curwen, J.F., 1913, Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 13) p. 422 (general suggestion of reuse of Roman milecastle sites in C16)

Journals

  • 1935, 'Report of the Cumberland Excavation Committee for 1934' Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Vol. 35 p. 236-7 online copy
  • 1934, 'Report of the Cumberland Excavation Committee for 1933' Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Vol. 34 p. 144 online copy