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© Mr John Wright
IoE Number:
77660
Location:
LINSTOCK CASTLE,
STANWIX RURAL, CARLISLE, CUMBRIA
Photographer:
Mr John Wright
Date Photographed:
10 December 2003
Date listed:
01 April 1957
Date of last amendment:
01 April 1957
Grade
II*
NOTE - The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incoporate subsequent amendments to the list. For an updated version of the statutory list you should visit our LBOnline database http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/Login.aspx
STANWIX RURAL LINSTOCK
NY 45 NW
5/79 Linstock Castle
1. 4.57.
II*
Farmhouse, formerly tower house. C12 or early C13 as palace for the Bishops of
Carlisle, with C17-C20 additions and alterations. Tower has large blocks of red
sandstone, mostly from Roman Wall nearby, for walls 2 metres thick; slate gabled
roof. 3 storeys, one bay, tower. entrance to ground floor, has chamfered
rounded arch with continuous hood-mould hidden by ivy: above left is original
first-floor entrance with rounded arch, now filled. Windows inserted 1768 with
plain freestone surrounds, sashes with glazing bars, C19 plank door. East face
has 2 round-headed lancets and one flat-headed chamfered lancet, now all
filled. Ground floor chamfered lancet to west face. C20 steel casement in
north face. Interior has pointed arch vaulting to ground floor without stairs:
first-floor room connected to 2 second-floor rooms by stair in thickness of the
wall. Walls originally higher and flat roof, reduced and gabled 1768.
Extension at right angles of 2 storeys, 2 bays has sandstone rubble walls partly
covered by render, is probably early C17 incorporating parts of an earlier out
building. Two C17 chamfered mullion windows with mixed C19 and C20 sashes, with
with single glazing bars and steel casements. Further one bay early C19
extension of brick under same roof with C20 kitchen extension of single storey,
2 bays to side. Close to the castle are the remains of the encircling moat.
Used as Bishops Palace c1219-early C14, then as prison and refuge for villagers
in border raids. For 6 days in March 1307, Edward I, his Queen and Court were
entertained here, whilst Parliament was held in Carlisle. See, Curwen, Castles
& Towers of Cumberland & Westmorland, 1913, p. 298-9.