Curious About Castles: Etal Castle
- PenName Protection
- Dec 7, 2024
- 9 min read
Etal Castle Overview
Etal Castle is a medieval fortress located close to the Scotland border in the northern part of Northumberland County, England, near the village of Etal. The castle is part of the picturesque landscape of the Northumberland countryside and is easily accessible for those interested in exploring its historical significance.
Its history is rich and varied, encompassing centuries of ownership, use, and even abandonment. The sandstone castle is said to have been erected during the latter part of the 14th century, likely around 1341, by Robert Manners, a nobleman and prominent figure in the region.
The castle was part of a network of fortifications designed to protect the English border against Scottish incursions. Strategically positioned near the English-Scottish border with a commanding position atop a small hill overlooking the surrounding landscape, it provided a vantage point for observing potential threats and coordinating defensive actions and served as a defensive stronghold during a time of ongoing conflicts between the two nations.
The castle also served as a residence and a symbol of power. Ownership of Etal Castle changed hands multiple times over the centuries due to several factors including inheritances, marriages, and political developments. The Manners family held the castle for generations, but as conflicts between England and Scotland subsided, Etal Castle lost its military significance.
By the 16th century, it had transitioned into a more domestic role, serving as a manor house and becoming a more comfortable residence for its various owners who, throughout its history, made modifications and renovations to the castle. Defensive features such as battlements and arrow slits were updated to reflect changing military technologies, while residential areas were expanded and improved to accommodate changing lifestyles.
However, as time went on, the castle's importance declined further. It eventually fell into disrepair and was abandoned by the 18th century.
The castle's ruins lay largely forgotten until the 19th century, when renewed interest in historical preservation led to some efforts to stabilize and document the site. Archaeological investigations began in the 20th century, shedding light on the castle's layout, construction techniques, and historical context, despite some of the findings being labeled as inconclusive and anomalous.
Etal Castle Owners & Occupants
Mid-14th -15th C: The Manners family
Early 16th C: The Collingwood family, briefly controlled by the monarchy
Mid-16th C: The Manners family regains control, occupied by the Collingwood family
17th C: Various private owners, an occupancy is presumed but unknown
Mid-18th C: (Castle abandoned)
THIStory of Etal Castle: The Mainstream Narrative
The annals of Etal Castle's history trace back to the medieval era when the Normans aimed to solidify their reign in the north of England.
1107 - Groundwork for Etal Castle: Medieval Foundations
The groundwork for the castle was laid as a timber hall took shape within the embrace of a palisade-surrounded enclosure. Etal found its place among the lands that composed the Barony of Muschamp. This period was marked by the carving out of feudal baronies from Northumberland estates.
1180 - Etal within Muschamp's Tapestry: Feudal Dynamics
Robert Manners, aligned with Muschamp's cause, took possession of the manor. The Manners family's link to the estate is possibly owed to Robert's service within the broader Barony. It is almost certain that the family initiated the construction of a basic fortification on the border grounds, likely a timber hall enveloped by a wooden palisade.
1278 - Shifting to Stone: Evolution in Material and Status
Another Robert Manners entered the scene, a descendant of the one who held the manor in 1180. Knighted by King Edward I, he inherited the estate, signaling the continuation of the Manners' legacy at Etal. The architectural shift from timber to stone began to manifest. Around this time, the wooden hall was likely replaced by a stone structure.
1341 - Transition to Etal Castle: Royal Nod and Transformation
This year stands as a pivotal point in the evolution of Etal. Sir Robert Manners, armed with a royal license from King Edward III, embarked on the transition of Etal from a manor to a castle. This license for crenellation was likely sought to safeguard against both the Scottish threat and rivalry with the neighboring Heron family at Ford.
The transition saw the construction of a three-story stone tower house, which eventually expanded to four stories with crenellations encircling its summit. The tower house was encased by a defensive barmekin, with earthwork defenses enhancing its fortitude.
1354 - Passing the Mantle: Inheritance and Transition
Sir Robert Manners' demise marked a transition. His son, John Manners, inherited the castle, albeit while still a minor. This transition marked a departure from family tradition, where Etal had been passed through several generations of Robert Manners. Speculation persists that John was a younger son, his older siblings likely perishing before inheriting the manor.
1355 - Shifts and Survey: Change of Custodianship
Soon after, Sir Edward Letham took wardship of the castle. A survey during this period described Etal as a fortalice, a term denoting a modestly defended castle. John Manners' tenure witnessed the addition of a gatehouse and stone curtain. At least one tower was erected to complement the curtain wall's defensive capabilities.
1368 - Culmination and Consolidation
Etal Castle had largely taken shape. A survey from this time described it as a proper castle, signifying the culmination of its construction. Its elements, including towers, walls, and earthwork defenses, coalesced into a robust defensive entity.
1428 - Feuds and Intrigue: A Clash with Heron
The castle's trajectory intersected with the Heron family's saga at this time. John Manners, a great-grandson of the original tower builder, found himself entangled in an enduring feud with the Herons of Ford Castle. The specifics remain shrouded, but it appears that Sir William Heron, heir to Ford's lordship, launched an assault on Etal Castle.
This confrontation led to a fatal altercation between the families near the castle grounds, resulting in William's demise. His widow held John and his son accountable for the tragedy. The ensuing church investigation led to a compensation settlement that considerably drained the Manners' family wealth, triggering a decline in Etal Castle's maintenance.
1438-1461 - Descendants and Decadence: Inherited Ruin
Between these years, Robert Manners, another of John's sons, inherited the dilapidated Etal Castle. Reports from this period deemed the castle "ruined and therefore valueless." The estate's value had eroded due to prolonged warfare, ongoing feuds, and economic hardships within the lands.
1464-1500 - Shifting Ownership: Abandonment Looms
In 1464, Robert's demise transferred ownership to his son, also named Robert. Upon Robert's death in 1495, the castle and its title of Baron de Ros passed to his son, George.
However, the Manners family's interests were shifting; by the close of the 15th century, they abandoned Etal Castle as a residence, gravitating toward the royal court. The castle's care was entrusted to John Collingwood, hereditary constable of the castle.
1513 - Scottish Incursion: Surrender and Recapture
Amidst the backdrop of James IV of Scotland's English invasion, Etal Castle faced adversity. After Scottish forces secured Norham and Wark border castles, they turned their sights on Etal. John Collingwood opted for a strategic surrender to avoid pillaging.
Yet, the castle suffered intentional damage to prevent its immediate reuse. Scottish control proved short-lived as they faced a decisive defeat at the Battle of Flodden. Etal Castle was recaptured and utilized by Lord Dacre to safeguard captured Scottish artillery with a small garrison.
1541/2 - Decay and Renewal: Recommendations for Repair
A royal commission noted the castle's dire state, described in a survey as "in very great decay." The commission recommended fortification repairs to preserve the castle's structural integrity.
1547 - Ownership and Custodianship
The Crown purchased the property from the Manners and entrusted Sir John Elleker with its care. However, the Collingwoods resumed their role as castle constables shortly thereafter and maintained this position for the remainder of the century.
1552-1584 - Decay and Abandonment: A Castle's Decline
Despite its evident decay, Etal Castle served as the residence of the Deputy Warden of the East March in 1552. Subsequent decades saw the castle's condition deteriorate, leading to its eventual abandonment and the need for restoration efforts.
1603 - Shifting Sands of Time: Loss of Military Relevance
The unification of the Crowns of Scotland and England marked a turning point. Etal Castle's military significance waned, and it transitioned from being a strategic stronghold to a historical artifact. Over the ensuing years, ownership passed through various hands.
1748 - Fading into Ruin: Castle's Abandonment
Etal Castle had once again been relinquished as a residence, left to the mercy of time's inexorable march, gradually descending into ruin.
1797 - A Glimpse Through Art: Girtin's Vision
Artist Thomas Girtin immortalized the castle's ruins in watercolor, providing a vivid glimpse into its dilapidated state (see below). His work captured the essence of Etal Castle in the autumn of 1796.
1908 - Revival and Legacy: Baron Joicey's Touch
The 1st Baron Joicey of Chester le Street took a pivotal step, purchasing the Etal Estate and embarking on extensive restoration endeavors. He reinvigorated the remaining structures and transformed the village into a picturesque haven.
The castle's guardianship was eventually entrusted to the state, managed by English Heritage, and preserved as a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument.
Thomas Girtin's 1797 Watercolor of Etal Castle. Image credit: (2022, April 16). In Wikipedia.
PenName's Hang up with Etal
Like many other castles, Etal is said to have been intentionally slighted or damaged during times of conflict to prevent "the enemy" from utilizing it later. As far as I'm concerned, such a practice sounds very, very stupid; therefore, I think such is a cover-up for whatever actually happened.
The most glaring issue, for me, regarding Etal Castle is the remains are clearly buried in the ground. It is so obvious. Yet, this point is ignored. More than that, any records and literature I found don't provide so much as a whisper hinting at such a possibility. Many speculate about what the "ground floor" was used for and mention it has been lost, but no one suggests the possibility of even more significant portions of the castle perhaps remaining underneath the earth.
The only exception is the archeological excavations and surveys conducted; however, the conclusions given in the 1988 Geophysical Survey, in particular, don't sit well with me.
Etal Castle Report on Geophysical Survey, 1988
"A geophysical survey was carried out at Etal Castle in Northumberland in an attempt to locate remains of a putative fourth tower suggested by the topography of the site. An excavation in the 1970's had previously been attempted in the most likely position but had found no traces of wall footings for such a tower.
The geophysical survey results did not produce unequivocal evidence for a fourth tower but did detect another possible location for it along the north east boundary of the castle site, as well as finding the probable location of the excavation."
To summarize the report, the researchers were trying to find out if there was a fourth tower in addition to the ones they already knew about.
To investigate, they divided the area into squares and used a type of magnetometer to search for any buried metal items as well as an earth resistance meter to measure how easily electricity passed through the ground.
The results from these tools were processed and turned into computer images. The one showing the magnetic anomalies reveal that some areas with high magnetic readings were found, suggesting metallic items might be buried there.
In the other image, the resistivity results show they found some areas with high resistance, which could mean old walls or structures are, indeed, buried below. However, they also found some areas with low resistance, which, they say, might be places where the ground is wet or has different materials.
They also did a more detailed survey of a part of the site where they thought the fourth tower might be. They hoped to find smaller details, but the results didn't show much new information.
In the end, the researchers couldn't say for sure if there was a fourth tower at Etal Castle. They found some unusual things under the ground, but they said it's hard to tell if they're from the past or more recent activities like excavations. Yet, they did uncover interesting "anomalies," including an old trackway, which could have some historical importance.
But again, this just doesn't sit right with me. Looking at the images of the survey analysis, no one could deny that something is down there; but why do they say it might be the "probable location of the excavation" as if they don't know where the 1978 excavation took place? Because they certainly have those records... (Which, if you're interested, you can read here: pdf report for the excavation at Etal Castle in 1978.)
Markedly, no one is denying the castle once was significantly larger, as there are several impressions of what the castle might have looked like. But I'm not convinced it simply crumbled away. Why haven't they tried exploring further?
IDK...it's quite suspicious...
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