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Coupland Bridge 1

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Warcop; Copeland

In the civil parish of Murton.
In the historic county of Westmorland.
Modern Authority of Cumbria.
1974 county of Cumbria.
Medieval County of Westmorland.

OS Map Grid Reference: NY70971898
Latitude 54.56511° Longitude -2.45051°

Coupland Bridge 1 has been described as a probable Timber Castle, and also as a probable Pele Tower.

There are earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

Description

On the right-hand side of the road going towards Appleby, near Couplandbeck bridge was a "round fortification", internal diameter 40 paces, with walls about 10 yards thick. The stones, red in colour, were strongly cemented with lime and sand. (PastScape ref. Nicolson and Burn)

A small distance from Coupland Beck bridge, there was, in ancient times, a round tower, or castle, the diameter of which, within the walls, was forty places, "and the thickness of the walls including rubbish, was ten yards." Opposite to this fortification was an hospital, founded probably by one of the Veteriponts, the ancient-lords of the great barony of Westmorland. (Mannix and co 1851)

Mound (called Roman Fortress on O.S.) on the N. side of the Appleby-Brough road, W. of Hilton beck, has been formed by cutting a slight ditch on a natural spur and steepening the scarps. The work forms an oval, about 60 ft. by 40 ft., with a rampart carried round, except on the S. side. (RCHME 1936)

Earthwork remains of an oval mound measuring 60ft by 40ft. Masonry was visible on the site in C18. It is possibly a motte. Scheduled as an earthwork. (PastScape)
Comments

Harvey calls this a peel, otherwise the site is described as a possible ringwork. The location, on a crossing of Coupland Beck by the Roman road, is strategic, but this close to the major castle at Appleby the strategic value may have been for tax gathering rather than military.
There is confusion in some references between this site and Coupland Bridge 2.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
PastScape   County HER   Scheduling        
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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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.
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:28

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