Melkridge Bastle

Has been described as a Certain Bastle

There are no visible remains

NameMelkridge Bastle
Alternative NamesMillbridge
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishMelkridge

A fine bastle, exceptionally late in date, prob. c. 1642. Destroyed as recently as 1955. (King 1983)

Bastle House, Melkridge, a pele tower, demolished in 1955, was probably early 17th century, and a very late example of a fortified building (Pevsner 1957: Lloyd 1931; F1 FDC 28-DEC-1956).

Pulled down c.1954. Measured 38ft x 24ft over walls 4ft thick. Two storeys, an attic and small watch tower in east gable (Ramm 1970). (Northumberland HER)

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY738639
Latitude54.9690284729004
Longitude-2.40953993797302
Eastings373880
Northings563900
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Dodds, John F., 1999, Bastions and Belligerents (Newcastle upon Tyne: Keepdate Publishing) p. 392
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles and Tower Houses of Northumberland (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 119 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 351
  • Graham, Frank, 1976, The Castles of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Frank Graham) p. 233
  • Ramm, H.G., McDowall, R.W. and Mercer, E., 1970, Shielings and Bastles (London: HMSO) p. 89 no. 53; plates 18, 23
  • Pevsner, N., 1957, Buildings of England: Northumberland (London) p. 211
  • Hugill, R.,1939, Borderland Castles and Peles p. 137
  • Lloyd, N., 1931 (2edn), A History of the English House (London) p. 219 (as Millbridge)

Journals

  • Christopherson, R., 2011, 'Northumberland bastles: origin and distribution' Medieval Settlement Research Vol. 26 p. 21-33 (listed in appendix)
  • Jones, T.L. and Field, C.W., 1956, 'The Melkridge bastle, Northumberland, a description and architectural survey report' Archaeologia Aeliana (ser4) Vol. 34 p. 138-141
  • 1929, Northumberland Architectural Review Vol. 65 p. 173 (as Millbridge)