Cowdenknowes (4)
Although like most mediaeval and post-mediaeval families the fortunes of the Homes waxed and waned, it is probably fair to say that they were the most prominent family on the East March (the front line!) for many centuries, and as befitted their status and their usually warlike duties, Cowdenknowes developed into an important fortress during the 16th century.
Enough evidence survives for us to be able to speculate that it was a square courtyard style castle (the courtyard being where the lawn on the left is), surrounded by a curtain wall with towers at its angles, and a 'main block' on the north facing side, where the 'mansion' now stands. The south-west tower (whether it was built by the Douglases or the Homes) was the tower on the river bank (just visible in the distance) and the tall tower in the foreground contains, in its lower levels, the remains of the north-east tower. The remains of the 16th century 'main block' survive under the existing mansion. Working out which bit was built when is the complicated bit!
(In the 19th century, when the mansion was built and a grand entrance was required, someone came up with the bright idea of slapping the entrance through the north-east tower(house), creating an entrance hall within and then connecting it with a linking wing to the main house beyond.)
Cowdenknowes (4)
Although like most mediaeval and post-mediaeval families the fortunes of the Homes waxed and waned, it is probably fair to say that they were the most prominent family on the East March (the front line!) for many centuries, and as befitted their status and their usually warlike duties, Cowdenknowes developed into an important fortress during the 16th century.
Enough evidence survives for us to be able to speculate that it was a square courtyard style castle (the courtyard being where the lawn on the left is), surrounded by a curtain wall with towers at its angles, and a 'main block' on the north facing side, where the 'mansion' now stands. The south-west tower (whether it was built by the Douglases or the Homes) was the tower on the river bank (just visible in the distance) and the tall tower in the foreground contains, in its lower levels, the remains of the north-east tower. The remains of the 16th century 'main block' survive under the existing mansion. Working out which bit was built when is the complicated bit!
(In the 19th century, when the mansion was built and a grand entrance was required, someone came up with the bright idea of slapping the entrance through the north-east tower(house), creating an entrance hall within and then connecting it with a linking wing to the main house beyond.)