Wintershields

Has been described as a Possible Pele Tower

There are no visible remains

NameWintershields
Alternative NamesWyntersheles; Anton Edwards Tower
Historic CountryCumberland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishAskerton

A tower is documented as being demolished in the reign of Elizabeth within Wintershields Park. It was a stronghold used by robbers and outlaws. (PastScape–ref. Perriam and Robinson)

Tower demolished in 16th century.

Todd states; 'within the park at Wintershields appear the Ruins of a castle or fort, called Anthon Edwards Tower. This, the Lord Scroop, Warden of the W Marches, caused to be pulled down and destroyed Tem. Eliz R as being a 'Hold and Receptacle for Robbers and Out-lawd Persons with which the Country was then much infested.'

'Wyntersheles' mentioned in Ipm of Humfrey Dacre 1485. Kath Armstrong was the tenant in 1575. In the 1603 Survey it was held by the Lord, but nearby 'Grenesburne' was 'late Anthons Edward Armstrong, now Lord, house 'utterly decaied', (suggesting the Edward's property had been confiscated en masse)...

Further research need; is it the same as Tower Brae? (Perriam and Robinson 1998)

Gatehouse Comments

Given map reference is for modern farm house called Wintershields. Tower Brae lies 1100m to the east but clearly within the 'park of Wintershields'.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY557724
Latitude55.0436706542969
Longitude-2.69493007659912
Eastings355700
Northings572400
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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

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.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Salter, Mike, 1998, The Castles and Tower Houses of Cumbria (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 99 (slight)
  • Perriam, Denis and Robinson, John, 1998, The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 29) p. 177

Primary Sources

  • 1898, Calendar of inquisitions post mortem and other analogous documents preserved in the Public Record Office Vol. 1 no. 10 (1485) (TNA ref C142/1/12)
  • 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)

Other

  • Todd, H., n.d. (early C18), History of the Bishopric of Carlisle (St Edmund's Hall MS 7/2, Bodleian Library)