Castle of the Month: 'The Centre of Britain'

[endlessrarities]

You thought I'd forgotten my regular 'Castle of the Month' post, didn't you???

Well, I didn't, so here, in the nick of time, is my chosen castle.  I could've gone for the obvious choice and featured a Roman defensive structure, but I decided I'd stick with the medieval period.

Today's featured stronghold is unusual in that it is A Castle With No Name.  It's one of several defensive structures of medieval or early post-medieval date located within the centre of the modern town of Haltwhistle, Haltwhistle Castle itself being represented by a former motte-and-bailey castle on the aptly-named 'Castle Hill.'  The reason for the high density of fortified structures is simple: the Border Reivers - represented here by the Armstrong family - were particularly active in the area, and hence the locals were forced to build defensively.

It's a pele tower reminiscent of a Scots tower-house, first mentioned in 1415, and later noted as belonging to Sir William Musgrave in 1541.  In the last few centuries, it's been given an odd Classical makeover and incorporated into a hotel, now called 'The Centre of Britain'.
 

 

An odd little restoration, and one which will no doubt make castle purists throw up their hands in horror (note in particular the Grecian-style  frieze at second floor level).

Sadly, I didn't get a chance to look inside.  The lure of the Black Bull's savoury bread-and-butter pudding was greater than The Centre of Britain's vegetable stroganoff (though I'm told that the desserts in The Centre of Britain are marvellous).

And look!  The sun was shining when I took the photograph!!  It's a miracle!!!

Information comes courtesy of The Castles and Tower Houses of Northumberland, by Mike Salter (Folly Publications, 1997).

 

Comments

[aulus-poliutos.livejournal.com]

I remember that one.

Heh, if we go with the Castle of the Month theme, I could call the Ebersburg the one for May, and Criccieth the one for June since there will be a second post in a few days. :)

Then I should really go back to some Romans; we've not had those since the naughty dwarf from the Isis temple back in March.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I'm quite glad to have escaped from Romans for a little while. You can get too much of a good thing - I nearly said bad thing, but of course I didn't mean it!!

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

It just looks like a pub or hotel.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

It's a very cunning disguise...

[clairehawthorn.livejournal.com]

It's hard to type this with my hands thrown up in horror.

You didn't say a word about the fact it was painted yellow.
I'll not comment on the yellow paint either.....

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I'm quite forgiving. I actually like James IV's 'Giant Peach' at Stirling - which is, admittedly, harled and not painted, but it still looks a bit lurid.

In fact, you've just given me an evil idea for a future 'Castle of the Month' candidate. Evil because it's so garish that you'll probably throw the computer out of the window in your aghast response...

It makes the Centre of Britain look extremely tasteful in comparison...

Heh, heh, heh...

[basefinder.livejournal.com]

Ooh! I like the Castle of the Month idea!
:-)

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

It's still an impressive structure, despite the Georgification...

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

'Georgification' is just the right word...

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

While it does look kind of castle-like I wouldn't have guessed it was an actual castle. And hey, sun?! Nahhhhh.....you Photoshopped that! :)

[aulus-poliutos.livejournal.com]

I can confirm that the sun does, indeed, shine in Haltwhistle now and then. Out of the three days I stayed there, two were pretty nice.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

You're just a jammy so-and-so. The gods must like you...

[aulus-poliutos.livejournal.com]

The British gods surely do. I had pretty nice weather overall in Scotland (both times), Wales, and northern England. The German gods can sometines be dealt with by waiting for sunny weather, but when I plan ahead like with the Rhine tour in 2010, they may not always smile on me. I also obviously pissed of SOME Norse god who sent me all that rain in Bergen and on the sea eagle safari. ;) (Though the weather in Trondheim and Oslo was not bad.)

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

No, I just waited eight hours for the right moment.

I'm joking. I was lucky...