Troughend Tower, Rochester
Has been described as a Certain Pele Tower
There are no visible remains
| Name | Troughend Tower, Rochester |
| Alternative Names | Trowhen; Troughen |
| Historic Country | Northumberland |
| Modern Authority | Northumberland |
| 1974 Authority | Northumberland |
| Civil Parish | Rochester |
The site of a pele tower built in the 14th century by William Butecom. The Reed family acquired Troughend Tower soon after 1415, and it served them well throughout a turbulent period of raids. It was replaced with a hall house in circa 1716 by Elrington Reed, possibly in front of a much older brewhouse and kitchen which were thought to have been kept in use.
The house had fallen into ruin by the early 20th century and photographs show it in a run-down state during the Second World War. There is a report that the house burnt down in 1952, however a photograph of 1956 shows it still to be standing though in poor repair. Although there are no standing remains of the site, large foundation blocks were discovered during drainage work and there is a piece of stonework in the farmyard today (2011).
The precise site of the tower may be represented by a small wood at the roadside. A modern house now occupies the former site of the hall. (PastScape)
The site of a pele tower built in the 14th century by William Butecom. The Reed family acquired Troughend Tower soon after 1415, and it served them well throughout a turbulent period of raids. It was replaced with a hall house in circa 1716 by Elrington Reed, possibly in front of a much older brewhouse and kitchen which were thought to have been kept in use. The house had fallen into ruin by the time a fire burnt it down in 1952, and there are no visible remains today. The precise site of the tower may be represented by a small wood at the roadside. A modern house now occupies the former site of the hall (Dodds 1999). (PastScape)
The tower at Troughen, for a long time the seat of the family of de Butycombe;
The old tower of this place stood a little to the west of the present house, and its foundations, of very strong masonry, though overgrown with grass, are still traceable
Horsley, who died in 1731, mentions "an inscription in Mr Warburton's map of Northumberland, which was at Troughend, in an old tower there; but the tower is now demolished, and this stone is lost. It seems to have been imperfect when Mr Warburton copied it, for his copy is altogether confused and unintelligible. (Hodgson 1827)
A list of towns dated 1415 refers to a 'Turris de Trowhen' the inheritance of 'Willus Butecom' (Bates 1891).
NY 86649243 'Troughend Hall Farm is now partially demolished, but many years ago, when a new drain was being laid against an outhouse joining the west side of the house (spot indicated) some enormous stones had to be taken out. They had been shaped into blocks and appeared to be foundations - almost certainly - of the old tower. The blocks were broken up' (F1 ASP 13-JUL-1956). (Northumberland HER)
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | NY866924 |
| Latitude | 55.2259101867676 |
| Longitude | -2.21156001091003 |
| Eastings | 386640 |
| Northings | 592430 |
