Category Archives: Tudor Lancashire
Turton Tower, Chapeltown, Near Bolton
In the early 1400s a Pele tower was built on a high commanding spot in Turton. It was a three story rectangular defendable structure, with four foot thick walls and narrow windows. This was a turbulent time with the possibility of raiders coming down … Continue reading
Kersal Cell and Kersal Moor, Salford
Kersal Cell and Kersal Moor have long, interesting and sometimes intertwined histories. The moor today is a nature reserve and there is open access for visitors. The Kersal Cell building is now split into private houses, but good views of it can … Continue reading
Towneley Hall, Burnley
The first hall was built at Towneley in 1380 and was a large open barn-like medieval building, similar to the ones still seen at Smithills in Bolton and Warton Old Rectory near Carnforth. Seventy years later the huge south wing with its very thick … Continue reading
Stonyhurst Hall and College
Richard Shireburn inherited the estate at Stonyhurst in 1537. He decided to do away with most of the medieval buildings to construct a bigger, grander hall. He held important posts in the county- at various times he was a magistrate, … Continue reading
Fleetwood Museum Reopens
Some good news at last, following the regrettable decision to close so many of Lancashire’s Museums a couple of years ago. Fleetwood Maritime Museum, based in the old customs house in Fleetwood has reopened. Congratulations to all the volunteers and … Continue reading
Posted in Tudor Lancashire
Tagged Fleetwood Museum, Fleetwood museum closure, Fleetwood museum reopens
2 Comments
St Michaels on Wyre Church
St Michael’s Church is old enough to be mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Michelescherce’. Bounded by the River Wyre, it has been called St Michaels-on-Wyre since the 1100s. The earliest parts of the present building are Norman, as can be evidenced by the … 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
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
Lydiate Abbey, the Church of St Catherine, Lydiate
The ruined church of St Catherine is known locally as Lydiate Abbey. It was never a real abbey, but was the private chapel built by the Ireland family of Lydiate Hall (see here )sometime around 1470s. It was built for husband and wife Laurence and Katherine Ireland. Made from sandstone, … Continue reading
Lydiate Hall ruins, Lydiate, West Lancashire
The original Lydiate Hall was built by Laurence Ireland sometime in the 15oos. He had exchanged his land at Garston (near Liverpool) for estates at Lydiate and Maghull. The original hall he built was a single range, possibly made of stone. He was also … Continue reading
