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Vicar's pele tower is a late medieval defensive structure located in Northumberland, England. The tower dates from the fourteenth or fifteenth century and represents the class of fortified dwellings constructed throughout the Anglo-Scottish border region during the period of cross-border conflict and raiding. Built as a residence for an ecclesiastical official, the pele tower exemplifies the practical fortification adopted by clergy as well as laity in response to the volatile conditions of the northern frontier. The tower survives as a substantial stone structure embodying the characteristic form of such pele towers, with its compact, rectangular plan designed to provide secure refuge and defensive capability for its inhabitants.
Vicar's pele tower is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1006604. View the official record →
Vicar's pele tower is a late medieval defensive structure located in Northumberland, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1006604.
Vicar's pele tower is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1006604.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Corbridge Bridge (0.3 km), Walker's Pottery (0.9 km), Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station (1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Vicar's pele tower's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Vicar's pele tower stands on Yoredale Group, bedrock that formed in the Bashkirian. The rock here is limestone, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.