So, I’m a bit late for getting to a client, and hurtling the Fragglewagon across the wild and windy moors of County Durham, when in the middle of no-where this pile of rocks appears. Screech to a halt, reverse (a fair bit lol) and here I find Ludworth Tower. Theres a little gate to go through so you can wander round it- didn’t have time, and an info board telling all about it and asking people not to damage it! I took a few shots from the road, and this one is the best. Have looked it up on the net, and it’s a grade 2 listed building, and 589 years old!! This is what I’ve found out on the WWW.
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Ludworth Tower, is one of the best-known Pele towers in County Durham. Only a few fragments of this building now survive, as most of it collapsed in 1890
Historical Notes
From an early date the manor of Ludworth was held by a family of De Ludworths, but in 1411 it passed into the hands of the Holdens, who are thought to have built the tower. In 1422 Bishop Langley granted licence to Thomas Holden to build battlements onto his manor of Ludworth.
Description
It is thought that the structure followed a late medieval form in having a vaulted basement with a chamber located above this; the form would have been repeated on the second floor.
The tower is a rectangular structure, built using Magnesian limestone with sandstone blocks used as dressing and quoins, although only one of these survives. Its longer axis, set north-south, and has been three full storeys above a barrel-vaulted basement, although little of the vault survives. Only small sections of the east and north walls stand, although much of the west wall is above second-floor level.
There are some surviving features, mainly a fireplace and garderobe, as well as quadrant-shaped corbels that would carry the beams to support the upper floors.
The building was once surrounded by a bank and a ditch, but they are no longer visible. Around the tower are various banks covering fallen walls and foundations.
Evidence of the form and features of the tower can be pieced together from a handful of old illustrations, the earliest being held by the Dean & Chapter Library.
This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument protected by law.
Wow huh? So who was King of England at that time, I thought and looked that up too –
Henry VI was the only child and heir of King Henry V of England. He was born on 6 December 1421 at Windsor, and succeeded to the throne at the age of nine months as King of England on 31 August 1422 when his father died, thus making him the youngest person ever to succeed to the English throne. Two months later, on 21 October 1422, he became King of France upon his grandfather Charles VI's death in agreement with the Treaty of Troyes in 1420. His mother, Catherine of Valois, was then 20 years old and, as Charles VI's daughter, was viewed with considerable suspicion by English nobles and prevented from having a full role in her son's upbringing.
9 month old king of England and then 2 yr old King of France as well. Lol, Imagine THAT happening today!!
That’s the bit I love most about my job, lol, I learn so much on my travels!!
A good day- a new client, a potential client, a satisfied customer, and fixed someones stuff!!
Great start to my week ☺ ☺
Comments
That's a great shot! Really well exposed & composed, good history too!!
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