Ryal Tower

Has been described as a Questionable Pele Tower

There are no visible remains

NameRyal Tower
Alternative NamesRyal near Stamfordham; Ryall
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishMatfen

The tower of Ryal is mentioned in a grant of 28th May, 1519. This is the only reference (Dodds 1926).

Local tradition sites the tower to a slight platform at NZ 01317430. This is in an area of population shrinkage and is probably only a minor building steading (F1 DS 31-JUL-1968).

Ryal Tower. Site uncertain, must have stood on the hill top with the church and small village (Long 1967). (Northumberland HER)

John Fenwick, was given Ryal as a wedding present, and it is this marriage contract that contains the only mention of a tower in the place. The property descended through the Blacketts and Travelyans inWallington style, but never again was there a hint about Ryal's defences. There is nothing on the ground or on paper to prove its existence. (Dodds 1999)

Gatehouse Comments

There must have been a house at Ryal and it may be this did have a small solar block of private chambers although it may just have been two storeys. Certainly the lack of any other mention does suggest whatever was at Ryal can hardly have been considered a fortification in any meaningful sense.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNZ013743
Latitude55.0631713867188
Longitude-1.98098003864288
Eastings401310
Northings574300
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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

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Books

  • Dodds, John F., 1999, Bastions and Belligerents (Newcastle upon Tyne: Keepdate Publishing) p. 278
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles and Tower Houses of Northumberland (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 115 (slight)
  • Rowland, T.H., 1987 (reprint1994), Medieval Castles, Towers, Peles and Bastles of Northumberland (Sandhill Press) p. 75
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 353
  • Graham, Frank, 1976, The Castles of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Frank Graham) p. 312
  • Long, B., 1967, Castles of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) p. 153
  • Dodds, Madeleine Hope (ed), 1926, Northumberland County History (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Vol. 12 p. 340