Low Coniscliffe Tower

Has been described as a Possible Tower House, and also as a Possible Pele Tower

There are earthwork remains

NameLow Coniscliffe Tower
Alternative Names
Historic CountryDurham
Modern AuthorityDarlington
1974 AuthorityCounty Durham
Civil ParishLow Coniscliffe And Merrybent

It is recorded that in the late 13th century Bishop Bek ordered that a tower should be built at Conisfliffe. It may have been on the site of the manor house. (Keys to the Past ref. Surtees Vol. 1 p. 35)

Gatehouse Comments

If Bishop Beck was intending this to be a residence for himself then this would be a tower house in the terms used in Gatehouse. However if this was intended to be a stewards house, dressed up with the symbolism of the prince bishops lord to counter the Lords of Graystoke, then this would be a pele tower.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNZ247137
Latitude54.5186309814453
Longitude-1.61961996555328
Eastings424720
Northings513770
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Surtees, R., 1823, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham Vol. 3 (Durham) p. 378- (mainly tenurial history) online transcription
  • Surtees, R., 1816 (1910 Reprint), The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham Vol. 1 p. xxxv
  • Hutchinson, Wm, 1823, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham Vol. 1 p. 309 online copy Vol. 3 p. 254-58 (mainly tenurial history) [online copy > http://archive.org/stream/historyantiquiti03hutcuoft#page/254/mode/1up]