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Melmerby Hall

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
la tourre de Melmorby

In the civil parish of Ousby.
In the historic county of Cumberland.
Modern Authority of Cumbria.
1974 county of Cumbria.
Medieval County of Cumberland.

OS Map Grid Reference: NY611373
Latitude 54.72969° Longitude -2.60488°

Melmerby Hall has been described as a certain Pele Tower.

There are no visible remains.

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

Description

The hall range is late C16 according to surveys of the building in 1930 and 1994. A 'fort' (probably tower) is recorded here in 1315 when it was to be provided with men and victuals and safely guarded. This tower was probably demolished and replaced by the 1794 wing. (PastScape–ref. Perriam and Robinson)
Comments

In about 1322 it is recorded that 'John de Denum kept a garrison of twelve men at his tower of Melmerby', however, see King (2007) about this expenses claim. John was petitioning for a garrison of 12 men but had previous kept the tower with an unspecified force. In effect he was petitioning for a sum in excess of £200 p.a. (much over his own expected annual income). The endorsement was 'Take advice on any marriage, wardship or farm and certify to the king therein, and he by good council will make any award by which he has the power to better keep (the tower) to the saving of the land.' This does not suggest that the petition was certainly granted and the tower garrisoned although it seems likely Denum got some funding. In another petition of about the same time (SC8/105/5206) Denum is described as king's sergeant and was asking for the expenses due to him whilst on the king's service.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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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.
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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.
This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:29

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