FEATHERSTONE CASTLE

Northumbria

Featherstone Castle, Northumbria

Most of Featherstone Castle is a 19th Century rebuild, but at its heart is an L-shaped towerhouse dating to around 1330 when it was held by the delightfully named Thomas de Featherstonehaugh.  It was not mentioned in the 1415 survey of fortifications, but was in 1541. The Featherstonehaugh's lost the Castle after Sir Timothy was executed after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and it passed to the Earl of Carlisle.  In 1711 it was bought by Matthew Featherstonehaugh, but his son, also Matthew, sold it to James Wallace in 1779.

It was his son, Thomas, who between 1812 and 1820 built the typical castellated mansion around the Tower House (it is the tallest part of the Castle on the right of the picture). Thomas became Lord Wallace of Knaresdale in 1828.  His family remained at the Castle until 1950 when it was briefly used as a school before becoming a residence and a centre for conferences, which function it still performs today.

Back to Castles of Northumbria

Back to Castles of Northumbria Page

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001

Go to Home PagespaceGo to Andrew J. MullerspaceGo to Roy BartonspaceGo to Shaun RunhamspaceGo to Writing
Go to Castles of the UK and IrelandspaceGo to Castles of EuropespaceGo to Churches, Cathedrals, Abbeys etc.spaceGo to Travel PagesspaceGo to The Gallery