Aydon Castle
| Aydon Castle | |
|---|---|
| Aydon,Northumberland,England | |
 Aydon Castle | |
  Aydon Castle | |
| Coordinates | 54°59′29″N1°59′58″W/ 54.9914°N 1.9994°W |
| Grid reference | grid referenceNZ001662 |
| Type | Fortifiedmanor house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | English Heritage |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Restored |
| Site history | |
| Events | Scottish Wars of Independence |
Aydon Castle,previously sometimes calledAydon Hall,is a fortifiedmanor houseatAydonnear to the town ofCorbridge,Northumberland,England.It is aScheduled Ancient Monument,[1]and is designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade Ilisted building.[2]
History
[edit]Early history
[edit]Documentary evidence shows that a timberhallfirst existed on this site.
The land was purchased by Hugh de Raymes, a majorSuffolkmerchant, between 1293 and 1295. He bought the property from the estate of an impoverished neighbour in the hope of increasing his social stature and influence. The sale was delayed by legal complications and the estate was not released until 1296, after Hugh de Raymes's death in 1295: his son Robert took over ownership of the property and it was Robert who moved his household and made Aydon Hall his primary residence. The move was believed to be due to opportunities for Robert in theScottish Wars of Independence,and it is known that Robert fought in Scotland between 1297 and 1298. Robert is believed to have fought at theBattle of Falkirkin 1298 against the Scottish forces ofWilliam Wallace.Upon Robert's return from fighting in Scotland, he began the construction of the first stone structure. Aydon had previously featured a wooden structure with a two-storey chamber block.[1][3]
The original manor house began construction in 1296. At the time of its initial construction, the manor did not feature any defensive works or fortifications. Shortly after the stone construction began, Robert de Raymes added a two-storey hall range.[4]Initially there was little need for fortifications to exist in Aydon. However, this changed in 1305 when Aydon Hall received permission to add crenellations. It is possible that the crenellations were added only to increase the status of the hall, but it would soon prove necessary to fortify the hall beginning in 1311 and 1312, as Scottishborder reiversbegan to launch raids into English territory. Aydon itself was attacked during this time, successfully repelling at least two known assaults by Scottish forces. These Scottish raiders managed to damage the surrounding area, but were unable to capture Aydon Hall itself.
The military and political situation became dire for the English in Northumberland following theBattle of Bannockburnin 1314. Aydon Castle was captured by the Scots in 1315 after the governor of the castle surrendered to the besieging forces. Aydon Castle was pillaged, burnt, and severely damaged by the Scots following the surrender of the garrison. The castle was further damaged in 1317 by English raiders seeking to loot whatever the Scots had left. The owner of Aydon Castle, Robert de Raymes, had been captured at Bannockburn and had been financially ruined by the destruction of his home and the 500-mark ransom he had paid for his release. Robert died in 1324 with little to his name. By this time, the estate was considered worthless.[3]
Late history
[edit]Robert's son, also named Robert de Raymes, inherited the castle after his father's death. Robert II rebuilt and enhanced the fortifications that had been destroyed when the estate was captured. When Robert II de Raymes died in 1349, the property came into the ownership of Nicholas de Raymes. Nicholas attempted to rebuild the previous fortunes that the family had enjoyed, but was ultimately forced to sell the estate by the 15th century. Aydon changed hands a number of times with little change being made until the 17th century. From then onward, the castle was operated as a farmhouse. In the early 19th century, it was the residence of a George Bates.[5]
Civil parish
[edit]Aydon Castle was acivil parish,in 1951 the parish had a population of 10.[6]Aydon Castle was formerly atownshipin Corbridge parish,[7]from 1866 Aydon Castle was a civil parish in its own right until it was abolished on 1 April 1955 and merged with Corbridge.[8]
Today
[edit]Aydon Hall's use as a farmhouse ended in 1966 when the property was opened to the public as a historic site.[9]The site has been owned and operated byEnglish Heritagein recent years, and is listed as a Grade Ilisted building.[2]The location is popular for tourists and locals, and is considered to be an excellent example of a fortified manor house.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abHistoric England(2011)."Aydon Castle medieval hall, fortified manor and eighteenth century farm buildings (1011645)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved8 May2011.
- ^abHistoric England(2011)."Aydon Castle main buildings and courtyard walls (1303707)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved8 May2011.
- ^ab"Aydon Castle | North East England | Castles, Forts and Battles".castlesfortsbattles.co.uk.Retrieved2 September2021.
- ^"Aydon Castle, Northumberland".Historic UK.Retrieved2 September2021.
- ^Page, William."Parishes: Kirk Leavington Pages 257-264 A History of the County of York North Riding: Volume 2".British History Online.Retrieved5 September2021.
- ^"Population statistics Aydon Castle Tn/CP through time".A Vision of Britain through Time.Retrieved23 January2022.
- ^"History of Aydon, in Tynedale and Northumberland".A Vision of Britain through Time.Retrieved23 January2022.
- ^"Relationships and changes Aydon Castle Tn/CP through time".A Vision of Britain through Time.Retrieved23 January2022.
- ^Ross, David."Aydon Castle".Britain Express.Retrieved13 September2021.
- ^"Aydon Castle".English Heritage.Retrieved8 August2023.
External links
[edit]
- Aydon Castle- official site at English Heritage
- "Aydon Castle".North of the Tyne.Archivedfrom the original on 10 January 2008.Retrieved3 December2007.
