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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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St Michaels Mount, Workington

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
How Micheal

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

OS Map Grid Reference: NX985283
Latitude 54.63978° Longitude -3.57417°

St Michaels Mount, Workington has been described as a probable Pele Tower.

There are no visible remains.

Description

A tower 23-1/2ft. & 17ft. repaired early 19th Cent. Probably carried the beacon in 1468 and 1688 (Collingwood 1923). Destroyed in 1946 to make way for a slag tip (OS Record – H Valentine Sept 1948)
St. Michael's Mount or How Michael is a typical small pele tower. Itis built of rough masonry with narrow loophole windows except that two larger, unornamented, windows face landwards. The arched ground floor measures 23-1/2 by 17ft. and there is a narrow winding stair to the upper floor. Although called Watch Chapell (State Papers (Domestic) 1569 (PRO)) in 1569 and Holme Chapel by Pennant (1726-1798) it is quite unlike a chapel. It stands on Chapel Bank Hill 90ft above sea level, the only considerable hill in the parish. The hill is probably the Workington Hill given in a list of Mid-15th century beacon sites (Nicholson & Burn). (PastScape)
Comments

A harbour beacon, for local fishing ships, rather than a warning beacon for Scottish raids although this fanciful idea has been suggested. The site appears to have now been destroyed by quarrying since being covered by a tip.
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:52

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