Gilsland Rose Hill

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NameGilsland Rose Hill
Alternative Names
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishThirlwall

On a knoll called Rose Hill, removed to make way for Gilsland railway station, Dr. Lingard observed "a platform on the top twelve yards in diameter with a ditch round it", in which was found a Ro. sculptured stone with a figure of flying Victory in relief. The much-weathered stone is now at Rockcliffe. Lingards description of the hill suggests a Md. motte (Bruce 1957).

The site is now covered by modern development. Gilsland Station is at NY 63546633. There are no visible remains of the 'motte', or the Knoll (F1 ECW 15-NOV-66). (PastScape)

The summit of Rose Hill has been removed to afford a site for the railway station. Dr. Lingard, in his MS. notes (1807), has the following notice of it:‚ "A sugarloaf hill, 200 yards from the Wall, called Rose Hill. It has a platform on the top twelve yards in diameter, with a ditch round it. Here was a figure of flying Victory." (Bruce 1885)

Gatehouse Comments

The railway does make reading this site difficult but the 1895 1:2500 OS map has an area called Rose Hill north of the railway station which could be a bailey platform. The location, by a crossing of the River Irthing and on the line of Hadrians Wall, could be that of a motte and bailey. However, there is little to suggest medieval settlement here.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY635663
Latitude54.9903602600098
Longitude-2.57112002372742
Eastings363540
Northings566330
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, 1997, The Castles and Tower Houses of Northumberland (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 114 (slight)
  • Jackson, M.J.,1992, Castles of Northumbria (Carlisle) p. 68
  • Bruce, J.Collingwood (edited by I.A. Richmond), 1957, Handbook of The Roman Wall (Newcastle) p. 166-7
  • Bruce, J.Collingwood (3edn), 1885, Handbook of The Roman Wall (Newcastle: Anrdew Ried) p. 191

Other

  • Lingard, 1807, MS notes. ? location