Castle Quest - Reply to Topic

Forum:	Individual Castles
Topic:	Kentmere Castle

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Moonglitter Hello again! I've found another castle in my family history that I'd like to research, but my details are kind of sketchy. All I know is that the castle is called Kentmere, and I believe it is in or near Oxford, England. An ancestor of mine owned it for a time -- Gilpin or de Gylpyn. I think the mere has been drained, and the castle may now be occupied by a farmer. If anyone has info to share, I would be forever in your debt!
Peter Phew !
Well 'Moonglitter' you sure test the grey cells. Kentmere won't be in Oxford, and it doesn't ring a bell nearby.
We do have a 'Kentmere' in th U.K.; but that is northwards in Cumbria.
Will see what turns up.
Moonglitter OK, I have a little more info. It is in Cumbria, in the foothills, near Lake Wandermere. I understand that it is now a farm, and was up for sale last year.
Peter Kentmere Hall:
A very much altered building from the 15thC.
Though at the west end is a tower from the 14thC; parts of the roof are 17thC.
Kentmere belonged to the Gilpins from c1375, and was sold to the Philipsons c1660.
AJR Peter,
Did you get your info from Salter's "The Castles and Tower Houses of Cumbria". ?
AJR Moonglitter, try looking at website
http://edenlinks.rootsweb.com/1gp/KENDALWARD/KENTMERE/KENTMERE.HTM
There is a good description and a photo of the place.
Andrew
Peter Sure did AJR.
Mike Jackson doesn't mention it.
A couple of other books only had a passing mention, and that was it !
Moonglitter Thanks for the link! You have all been very helpful!! Do you know if the residence behind the tower has been rebuilt, or did it not exist at all on the original structure?
[This message has been edited by Moonglitter (edited 04-25-2001).]
AJR It would appear that the residence attached to the tower has been added at a later date, but as to whether they are built upon earlier foundations, the best person to ask would be Donna Fraser who provided the information for the website mentioned above. There is a link on the site providing her e-mail address. It would be interesting to know what you find out from her.
AJR Out of interest, I notice that Scaleby Castle was also once owned by the Gilpin family, having been purchased by them in the 1660s and sold on in 1741.
Moonglitter Yes, I've found all kinds of information on Scaleby -- everything but a photo.
I've e-mailed Donna Fraser regarding Kentmere. I'll post her response. Thanks!
Moonglitter I received a response from Donna Fraser:
"c 1545 -
The upper part of the tower was added, when, in consequence of the comparatively thin walls used, the parapet was projected out upon massive over-sailing corbels, and bartizan turrets were added for appearance at the angles.
The hall is likely to have been added at this same time. Mr. James Clarke records the history of Hugh Herd, "the Cork Lad of Kentmere", who lived in the time of Edward VI, and was noted for his amazing strength. "When the hall was building, and the workmen gone to dinner, this man happened to be there and laid a beam up himself, .. which is 30 feet in length and 13 inches by 12 and a half in thickness...
c 1660
Sold to Sir Christopher Philipson who is supposed to have rebuilt the hall and rooms over.
Another article:
It seems probable that the tower at Kentmere was built after the last Scotch raid, which devastated the Kent valley in the 13th century and that the lower buildings were added for comfort and family abode, as life grew more secure."
---
And so it appears that the tower is the only original structure. The hall was built at least 300 years after, and has apparently been rebuilt at least once or twice since.
AJR Many thanks Moonglitter, for sharing the information.
Andrew
AJR I think I've found the reason why Moonglitter initially thought Kentmere Hall might be in Oxfordshire.
The family she mentioned, the Gilpins, also owned Broughton Tower - a 14th century tower which now forms part of the 18th century built mansion. She may have confused this with Broughton Castle in Oxfordshire, and assumed that Kentmere was nearby.