Category Archives: Medieval Lancashire
St Helens Church, Churchtown near Garstang
The oval shaped graveyard of St Helens is a key indicator that a very early ‘Dark Ages’ Saxon church stood once in this place. The name ‘Churchtown’ was at one time called Kirkland, with ‘kirk’ being the Viking word for a church. The earliest parts of the present building … Continue reading
Smithills Hall, Bolton
In 1335 William de Radcliffe acquired the manor of Smithills. During the early years there would only have been the medieval Great Hall on the site, which still exists there today. It is a large rectangular stone building and in here the family and … Continue reading
Dalton Castle, Dalton in Furness
Dalton Castle is a 14th century Pele tower and was owned by the abbot of Furness Abbey. From here he would administer the law in the region of the Lordship of Furness, Lancashire North of the Sands. There would have been … Continue reading
Radcliffe Tower, Radcliffe near Bury
After the Norman Conquest of England, Nicholas FitzGilbert de Tabois was given confiscated Saxon manor land in the present day Radcliffe area. He took the name ‘de Radclyffe’ (which means of Radcliffe) and his descendants continued to live in the area for hundreds of years. They … Continue reading
The Lost Leper Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Preston
The site of St Walburge’s church is believed to be the location of a Medieval leper hospital, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. Nothing now remains of this building, but what evidence do we have that it was located here ? The … Continue reading
Brindle Churchyard, Brindle village, near Chorley
Brindle church’s oldest features can all be seen in the churchyard at any time of day. These include four cross bases, two of which are definitely medieval, three decorated grave slabs and a stone coffin. There has been a church … Continue reading
Bury Castle, Bury
In 1469 Thomas Pilkington received a ‘license to crenellate’ from the king, which gave him permission to fortify his manor house. He built the structure that we know today as Bury Castle. It had castle like features- a moat, an … Continue reading
Posted in Castles,, Medieval Lancashire
Tagged Bury Castle, Bury Castle remains, Bury Castle ruins, history of Bury castle
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Ribchester’s Medieval Parish Church, Ribchester, Ribble Valley
St Wilfrid’s Parish church in Ribchester dates back to at least the eleventh century, but there may well have been earlier churches on the site beforehand. A blocked Norman doorway in the north wall is probably part of an earlier structure, and two small … Continue reading
Penwortham Castle, near Preston
The motte of Penwortham Castle is a huge artificial mound, built by the Normans soon after their conquest of northern England. The wooden castle that stood here and lasted nearly two hundred years is long gone, but the site and the motte are well worth … Continue reading
Holden Cross Base, Victoria Park, Haslingden
Leaning up against the clock tower in Haslingden’s Victoria Park is a huge, square cross base. This is the surviving remnant of Holden Cross, which was actually situated not here but nearby to Holden Hall, off the Haslingden Grane Road. Many wayside … Continue reading
