Scheduled MonumentsScotlandMantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace
Ancrum, bishop's palace

Mantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace

Scotland
HES SM13324
Site type
Ancrum, bishop's palace
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Mantle Walls is a fragmentary medieval fortification at Ancrum in Roxburghshire, comprising remnants of defensive earthworks associated with the bishop's palace complex that occupied this strategically important location in the Borders. The site dates from the medieval period, when the bishops of Glasgow held territorial interests in the region, and the surviving earthwork evidence reflects the defensive requirements of ecclesiastical lordship during a period of intermittent border conflict. The name "Mantle Walls" refers to the surviving rampart or palisade lines that once enclosed the palace precinct, now visible as earthen banks across the landscape. This monument represents an important example of the physical infrastructure through which the medieval Church exercised both spiritual and temporal authority in the Scottish Borders.

Mantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13324. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Mantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace?

Mantle Walls is a fragmentary medieval fortification at Ancrum in Roxburghshire, comprising remnants of defensive earthworks associated with the bishop's palace complex that occupied this strategically important location in the Borders. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13324.

Who is responsible for protecting Mantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace?

Mantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM13324.

What other scheduled monuments are near Mantle Walls, Ancrum, bishop's palace?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ancrum,market cross (0.4 km), Remains of medieval bridge below Ancrum Old Bridge (1.1 km), Timpendean,tower & earthwork (2.1 km).

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