Thirlwall Castle
Encyclopedia
Thirlwall Castle is a 12th-century castle
in Northumberland
, England
, on the bank of the River Tipalt close to the village of Greenhead
and approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Hexham
. It was built in the 12th century, and later strengthened using stones from nearby Hadrian's Wall
, but began to fall into disrepair in the 17th century. The site is protected by Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
An article appearing in "Atlantic Monthly" magazine describes "thirl" as "a small passage built into a wall to allow sheep but not cattle to pass through". This derives from and corresponds to the Greek definition for "Thura". "Wall" within this name refers to Roman-built Hadrian's Wall between Northeast England and Scotland in Northumbria."
Sir Percival Thirlwall of Thirlwall Castle was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field
whilst fighting in the Yorkist cause
in 22 August, 1485. He was Richard’s standard-bearer
in the final charge at Bosworth. He held up the standard even after his legs had been cut from under him (possible source Bennett, Michael. The Battle of Bosworth, 1985, rev. 1993. pp. 114 and 116).
by her 1738 marriage to Matthew Swinburne of Capheaton Hall
. Swinburne sold the estate to the Earl of Carlisle
for £4000 in 1748.
Thereafter the castle fell into decay. In 1832 and again in 1982 there were serious collapses of masonry.
In 1999 the Northumberland National Park Authority
took over the management of the castle, protecting it from further dereliction.
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on the bank of the River Tipalt close to the village of Greenhead
Greenhead, Northumberland
Greenhead is a village in Northumberland, England. The village is on the Military Road , about from Chollerford, from Haltwhistle and from Brampton, Cumbria along the A69 road. The A69 road bypasses the village, but until the 1980s all vehicular traffic passed through the village. The village...
and approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Hexham
Hexham
Hexham is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. The three major towns in Tynedale were Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle, although in terms of population, Prudhoe was...
. It was built in the 12th century, and later strengthened using stones from nearby Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in Roman Britain. Begun in AD 122, during the rule of emperor Hadrian, it was the first of two fortifications built across Great Britain, the second being the Antonine Wall, lesser known of the two because its physical remains are less evident today.The...
, but began to fall into disrepair in the 17th century. The site is protected by Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
Name and meaning
The origin and meaning of "Thirlwall", is an old English word "Thirl" derived from the Greek "Thura"("θύρα") and more familiar English word "wall", related to nearby Hadrian's Wall. The name "Thirlwall" is often pronounced "Thura wall" (thoo•rah•wall). The root and meaning of the name "Thirlwall" is further understood by the following information provided in Strong's Enhanced Lexicon.2374 θύρα [Thura /thoo•rah/] n f. A root word [cf "door"]; TDNT 3:173; TDNTA 340; GK 2598; 39 occurrences; AV translates as "door" 38 times, and "gate" once. 1 a door. 1a the vestibule. 1b used of any opening like a door, an entrance, way or passage into. 1c in a parable or metaphor. 1c1 the door through which sheep go in and out, the name of him who brings salvation to those who follow his guidance. 1c2 "an open door" is used of the opportunity of doing something. 1c3 the door of the kingdom of heaven (likened to a palace) denotes the conditions which must be complied with in order to be received into the kingdom of God.
Sources: TDNT Theological Dictionary of the New Testament TDNTA Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger AV Authorized Version Strong, J. 1996. Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship: Ontario.
An article appearing in "Atlantic Monthly" magazine describes "thirl" as "a small passage built into a wall to allow sheep but not cattle to pass through". This derives from and corresponds to the Greek definition for "Thura". "Wall" within this name refers to Roman-built Hadrian's Wall between Northeast England and Scotland in Northumbria."
History
The home of the Thirlwall family, it was fortified in about 1330 by John Thirlwall. In a survey of 1542 it was reported as in the ownership of Robert Thirlwall and in a 'measurable good' state of repair.Sir Percival Thirlwall of Thirlwall Castle was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field
Battle of Bosworth Field
The Battle of Bosworth Field was the penultimate battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century. Fought on 22 August 1485, the battle was won by the Lancastrians...
whilst fighting in the Yorkist cause
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
in 22 August, 1485. He was Richard’s standard-bearer
Standard-bearer
A standard-bearer is a person who bears an emblem called an ensign or standard, i.e. either a type of flag or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used as a formal, visual symbol of a state, prince, military unit, etc.This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour , or a...
in the final charge at Bosworth. He held up the standard even after his legs had been cut from under him (possible source Bennett, Michael. The Battle of Bosworth, 1985, rev. 1993. pp. 114 and 116).
Post medieval
Eleanor Thirwall, the last of the Thirlwall family line, abandoned the castle as a residence and the estate passed to the Swinburne familySwinburne Baronets
The Swinburne Baronetcy, of Capheaton in the County of Northumberland, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 26 September 1660 for John Swinburne in honour of the loyalty to Charles I of Swinburne's father and grandfather prior to and during the English Civil War. He...
by her 1738 marriage to Matthew Swinburne of Capheaton Hall
Capheaton Hall
Capheaton Hall, near Wallington, Northumberland, is an English country house, the seat of the Swinburne Baronets and the childhood home of the poet Algernon Swinburne. It counts among the principal gentry seats of Northumberland...
. Swinburne sold the estate to the Earl of Carlisle
Earl of Carlisle
Earl of Carlisle is a title that has been created three times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1322 when the soldier Andrew Harclay, 1st Baron Harclay was made Earl of Carlisle. He had already been summoned to Parliament as Lord Harclay in 1321...
for £4000 in 1748.
Thereafter the castle fell into decay. In 1832 and again in 1982 there were serious collapses of masonry.
In 1999 the Northumberland National Park Authority
Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park is the northernmost national park in England. It covers an area of more than 1030 km² between the Scottish Border in the north to just south of Hadrian's Wall. It is one of the least populated and least visited of the National Parks...
took over the management of the castle, protecting it from further dereliction.