Stanhope Castle (The Gatehouse Record)

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Castle Heugh; Castle Hill; Castri de Stanhopp

In the civil parish of Stanhope.
In the historic county of Durham.
Modern Authority of Durham.
1974 county of County Durham.
Medieval County of County Palatinate of Durham.

OS Map Grid Reference: NY99603916
Latitude 54.74740° Longitude -2.00772°

Stanhope Castle has been described as a certain Timber Castle, and also as a probable Masonry Castle.

There are no visible remains.

This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law*.

Description

The possible site of a motte and bailey castle, of which no remains are now visible (1976 NY93NE57 OS). A fragment of the motte may have survived until the turn of the century and is shown in a photograph of c.1906. However, Hutchinson writing in 1794 reported the following: "At the west end of Stanhope town, lying between it and the River Wear, is an eminence called Castle Hill or Castle Heugh. The crown of the hill forms an oblong figure 30 paces in width. To the north and east it is defended by a deep ditch. A ditch crosses the crown of the eminence and divides it into unequal parts. A wall was discovered, which appeared to defend the whole summit of the hill, built of ashlar work, strongly cemented. It is certain that a castle stood here in the days of Bishop Bek, for he granted lands on the west side of the castle of Stanhope" (Hutchinson). (Durham SMR)

At the west end of Stanhope town, lying between it and the river Wear is an eminence, called the Castle Hill or Castle Heugh, the southern foot of which is washed by the river; the crown of the hill forms a plain of an oblong figure, and is thirty paces in width; to the north and east, where the ascent is easiest, it is defended by a deep ditch; a ditch crosses the crown of the eminence, and divides it into two irregular parts; the ascent from the river we measured 108 perpendicular feet, on an inquiry and search, by the late Mr. Ward of Newlandside, a wall was discovered, which appeared to defend the whole summit of the hill, built of ashler work, strongly cemented. Tradition reports, this was a fortress of great antiquity, and was demolished by the Scots in one of their incursions; our records, or provincial history, affords us no greater lights. It is probable this castle gave name to the place. Stone-hope, or the fortified hill: or Stand-hope, the hill where the inhabitants made their chief resistance against an enemy: certain it is, that a castle stood here in the days of Bishop Beck; for he granted lands to Walter de Berineton, in Whitton, Escomb, and Stanhope, the latter describe to be situate on the west side of the cattle of Stanhope. (Hutchinson where the primary source is fully quoted)

Sources of information, references and further reading

National Heritage List for England Listed Building number(s) 1231718
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s) 17909.
County Historic Environment Record (or Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) D2326.

Websites (Gatehouse is not responsible for the content of external websites.)
- Abaroth's World
Books
- Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles and Tower Houses of County Durham (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 57
  Jackson, M.J., 1996, Castles of Durham and Cleveland (Carlisle) p. 62, 64
  Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 33 (slight)
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 138
  Whellan, F., 1894 (2edn), History, Topography and Directory of the County of Durham p. 327- online copy
  Boyle, J.R., 1892, Comprehensive Guide to the County of Durham (Newcastle) p. 520
  Brayley, E. and Britton, J., 1803, Beauties of England and Wales; Durham Vol. 5 p. 214
  Hutchinson, Wm, 1823, The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham Vol. 3 (Durham) p. 291, 351-2 online copy

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The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.

Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.

The possible site or monument is represented on maps as a point location. This is a guide only. It should be noted that OS grid references defines an area, not a point location. In practice this means the actual center of the site or monument may often, but not always, be to the North East of the point shown. Locations derived from OS grid references and from latitude longitiude may differ by a small distance.
Further information on mapping and location can be seen at this link.

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*The listed building may not be the actual medieval building, but a building on the site of, or incorporating fragments of, the described site.

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