Cockermouth – Castle Studies Trust Blog

Cockermouth Castle Building Survey Diary – Update 2

Project Lead Tom Addyman gives an update on how the survey of Cockermouth Castle’s inner ward is progressing following the team’s second visit in April

The survey team returned to Cockermouth in mid-April to carry out the follow-on stage of the analytical survey of the inner ward. The processed base photogrammetric data from the first survey visit was marked up with analytical data such as construction breaks and other interpretative information. The opportunity was taken to extend survey coverage to other areas such as the mural chambers within the gatehouse and to re-survey parts of the exterior that had been better revealed following continuing trimming of obscuring ivy.

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A general review was made of the complexities of the fabric, paying particular attention to structural discontinuities and changes in masonry coursing, character, stone type and alignment. The site assessment particularly benefited from the expert insights of Dr Edward Impey and Prof Richard Oram. Significant progress was made on understanding the evolutionary history of the inner ward buildings:

Interior of the south curtain wall showing relieving arch – possibly bridging unstable ground relating to a pre-existing defensive ditch Copyright Tom Addyman

Evidence supporting the idea that the gatehouse range occupied the site of a pre-existing ditch in the form of a broad structural relieving arch within the south curtain
Confirmation that the eastern gatehouse range incorporated the part-built remains of a predecessor of likely mid-late 14th century date that featured evidence for an intended 3-chamber rib-vaulted lower storey. Construction resumed to a somewhat modified design within a decade or two.

Interior of the gatehouse looking east to the pend copyright Tom Addyman

The architectural peculiarities of the gatehouse itself were better understood, including the possibility of a draw-bridge pit within the pend, details of the pend’s octopartite vault that was found to feature decorative collars and bosses at its main junctions, and the relationship of the large vestibule chamber within to the lodging ranges to either side to which direct access was provided.
The narrow Bell Tower, located at the south-east angle of the inner ward, was concluded to be of early date, possibly of the early 13th century
The south curtain was found to incorporate many finely-worked, diagonally-tooled blocks of a predecessor building, with a number of examples displaying a narrow sunken roll of keeled profile, perhaps c.1200. These provide the earliest date for the construction of the curtain – perhaps in the early-mid 13th century.
The south curtain also provided evidence for a former range of two stories with lean-to roof built against it – joist sockets and corbels, an inserted fireplace at first floor level, and indications of cross–walls. The structure had likely been narrow and at the upper level may have provided gallery-like access between the private apartments of the hall range and the lodging block.

Interior of the lodging block to the south side of the gatehouse, looking east – showing the outline of the intended vaulted cellar. Copyright Tom Addyman

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The work was coordinated with the Cockermouth Castle volunteer archive group, overseen by Alison McCann, Consultant Archivist to the Leconfield Estates. Review of archival materials relating to the castle identified a number of significant items such as estate drawings for the various castle buildings, inventories relating to the later 17th century occupation of the site, and a number of early views including some depicting the excavation of the infilled cellarage of the inner ward in the mid-19th century. Tom Addyman presented the ongoing work of the CST-funded survey to the archive group who were very positive in their response.

In May, the upgraded photogrammetric record is being digitised to form a line drawing set that will then be enhanced with analytical and phasing data.

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You can read the first update here: Cockermouth Castle – Building Survey Diary Stage 1 – Update – Castle Studies Trust Blog

Cockermouth Castle – Building Survey Diary Stage 1 – Update

Following his and his team’s first visit to survey the inner ward of Cockermouth Castle Tom Addyman looks at what they have found so far.

The initial stages of survey were carried out at Cockermouth Castle, within the inner ward area. Adverse weather held off until gales forced an early retreat on the third day. In spite of that excellent survey coverage was achieved, principally establishing a survey control and data capture for photogrammetry. Great assistance was given by the estate in reduction of obscuring vegetation that revealing a number of areas that were long-obscured, and through the provision of high-level access. The initial survey stage also included a general photographic record and preliminary fabric analysis such as the image below of the hall range frontage – sketch plan.

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Cockermouth Castle high level access, inner ward gatehouse, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Cockermouth Castle hall range frontage – sketch plan, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Initial processing of the imagery worked well leading, as intended, to the generation of dimensionally accurate projections to be used as a basis for a survey drawing set. In purely visual terms some striking individual images emerged, such as a vertical projection of the vaulted ceiling structure of the cellarage beneath the kitchen tower and elevation views within the kitchen interior.

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Cockermouth Castle vertical projection showing vaulting configuration of lower level of the kitchen tower, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Cockermouth Castle north interior of the kitchen tower showing remains of former gallery arrangements, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Better access to the fabric allowed better understanding of the evidence for the evolving hall range arrangements (hall entrance and junction with the kitchen range and general view of hall range, north wall. Examination of the surviving footings of the hall range’s courtyard frontage led to a preliminary reconstruction of its former appearance (image – preliminary sketch reconstruction of hall range frontage).

Cockermouth Castle great hall entrance and junction with the kitchen range, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Cockermouth Castle general view of hall range, north wall, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Cockermouth Castle preliminary sketch reconstruction of hall range frontage, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Once image processing is complete a follow on survey trip will involve detailed marking up of the imagery with phasing data and other analytical information. There will also be a review of early records of the castle with the estate archivist and volunteer team.

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Cockermouth Castle: a major baronial fortress of which we know little

Tom Addyman of Addyman Archaeology looks ahead to the first modern detailed study of Cockermouth Castle, a major baronial castle near the Scottish border which is starting this week.

With the generous support awarded by the Castle Studies Trust new survey work is to commence this week at Cockermouth Castle. Located in the extreme west of the historic county of Cumberland, Cockermouth is the caput of a major early landholding, the barony of Allerdale and Honour of Cockermouth. The castle is an extensively surviving baronial fortress that occupies a strong defensive site, a high spur of land at the confluence of the Rivers Derwent to the north and Cocker to the south and overlooking the medieval town extending to the south-east.

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Outer Gatehouse of Cockermouth Castle looking North West, copyright Addyman Archaeology

Roughly triangular in plan, the complex’s major walls and defensive towers essentially survive intact, comprising a small inner ward at the point of the promontory and a larger outer ward facing level ground to the east, defended by a ditch, now infilled. The outer ward is accessed by a massively constructed gatehouse at the north angle of the east side. The gatehouse and later ranges built against the north, east and south perimeter walls of the enclosure are still in occupation. The now-ruinous inner ward, containing the principal domestic apartments, had been accessed by means of a second major gatehouse to the centre of its east side.

Cockermouth Castle gatehouse to the inner ward facing south west, copyright Addyman Archaeology

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Following recent appraisal during the 2024 Chateau Gaillard conference there was considerable consensus as to both the importance of the site and its surviving architecture and in recognizing that its fabric has seen little study and was very notably lacking a reliable evidence-based analysis. It seems the most up-to-date published plan of the site is that of 1910 by John Curwen who also provided an account of the castle’s evolution. The only subsequent in-depth study that relates the detailed analysis of the physical development of the site to its ownership history is that of JB Bradbury (Bradbury’s History of Cockermouth, 1996); however this now requires comprehensive revision through scholarly review of the physical evidence. Other accounts, by Lord Leconfield (1959) and Pevsner, as revised by Hyde (2010), are more summary in nature. The understanding of the castle and its history has most recently been assessed by Dr Edward Impey in a draft paper (July 2024) that provides a firm basis upon which the more detailed assessment of the site will be built and its interpretation re-considered.

Cockermouth Castle inner ward with all and chamber block and the kitchen tower on the far left. copyright Addyman Archaeology

Led by a team from Addyman Archaeology, the project will focus upon developing a detailed understanding of the physical fabric of the structurally complex inner ward area. The major building periods will be defined and related to the site’s known history and occupancy, to early illustrative material, and in terms of the broader evolution of castle architecture. Particular focus will be the massive redevelopment of the site in the 14th century under the de Lucy and Percy families. Incorporating parts of a pre-existing masonry curtain, these works included the creation of chamber, hall and service arrangements, the magnificent kitchen tower (reminiscent of the work of Master John Lewyn), and the inner ward’s idiosyncratic gatehouse, a structure of defensive appearance though of limited capability and without close parallel. Together the gatehouse and the domestic ranges to either side occupy the site of an earlier defensive ditch; these structures present a specific interpretative challenge in that they incorporate the remains of vaulted cellarage of a predecessor range that may never have been completed.

Cockermouth Castle Kitchen Tower looking North West, copyright Addyman Archaeology

The present project prioritises the establishment of new base-line survey information. As far as existing vegetation and safe access permits the structures of the inner ward will be subject to a close and systematic visual assessment and non-invasive survey to be carried out primarily through photogrammetry. The latter will lead to the development of a record drawing set that will be overlain with comprehensive analytical and phasing data. The study will include a detailed component-by-component analysis and description, and a narrative account of the visible stratigraphic evidence. Working with the estate archivist and a local historical group the project will also involve scoping of historical materials relevant to the understanding of the castle fabric. The project will lead to the development of research questions and a possible scope of works for ongoing study of the site.

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Castle Studies Trust 2026 Grant Awards

The Castle Studies Trust is delighted to announce the award of eight grants, totalling a record £44,500, to a wide range of projects involving a wide variety of research methods. This total means that, since our foundation, we will have given nearly £350,000 to castle research projects – a landmark to celebrate.

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Cockermouth Kitchen Tower and Great Hall Range from river, copyright Richard Oram

Cockermouth, Cumbria: Cockermouth Castle is an extensively surviving major multi-phase northern fortress whose evolutionary history has never been subject to systematic or formal assessment. The building survey will focus upon developing a detailed understanding of the physical fabric of the castle’s inner ward structures with a view to mapping their evolution, and to provide contextualization by relating the major building periods to the site’s known history and occupancy, and in terms of the broader evolution of castle architecture. The survey will be carried out by Tom Addyman with the support of Edward Impey and Richard Oram.

Durham Castle’s twelfth century entrance way, copyright Dr Andrew Ferrara

Durham Castle, County Durham: Investigating the Twelfth-Century Entranceway of Durham Castle. The aim of the project is to utilise digital archaeological techniques to create high-resolution images and models of the twelfth-century archway into Durham Castle’s North Range, enabling detailed investigation of the architectural features. The Durham University team carrying out the work will be led by Andrew Ferrara and Giles Gasper.

Ellesmere Castle from the air, copyright Joe Bickerton

Ellesmere, Shropshire: Geophysical survey of the large motte and bailey castle in Shropshire which, prior to June 2024, had never been surveyed before when the large motte was surveyed by GPR which revealed possible buildings. The resistivity and magnetometry surveys would confirm that, as well as extend the survey to the rest of the site which played an active part in the Marcher disputes in the reign of Henry III. The survey, carried out by Heneb, will take place in the week starting 9 March, with the results ready in the early summer.

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Fyvie Castle, copyright National Trust of Scotland

Fyvie, Aberdeenshire: The project aims to create new interpretation drawings to showcase key stages in the architectural development of the castle, which dates to the thirteenth century, and share these as part of outreach and engagement. The drawings by Jan Dunbar will be commissioned by Annie Robertson of the National Trust and are expected to start in April.

Kilkenny Castle, copyright of the Discovery Programme

Kilkenny, Leinster, Republic of Ireland: This project proposes the use of geophysical survey to locate and map the lost Flemingstown of Kilkenny Castle – a unique example of a purpose-built Flemish colonial suburb. While some of the outer ward has already been investigated, the one area missing has been around the site of the township’s tower. The geophysical survey will be carried out by The Discovery Programme and will take place in early to mid March, led by David Stone with the support of Susan Currant and Coilin O Drisceoil.

Newcastle, Northumberland: To co-fund the publication of the report of the excavations of Newcastle Castle, one of the major royal castles in the North East of England, which took place over 20 years between 1974-95. The funds will be for synthesising all the different excavations, updating specialist reports and preparing relevant reports. We are only part funding £2,000 of the £8,000 asked for, as we lacked the means to fund any more. . The grant from the CST will allow him to commission the illustration work for the building interpretation and the excavation illustrations. The part funding has also spurred on other funders to cover the remaining part of the grant. The project will be led by Don O’Meara of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle with the support of John Nolan and Richard Pears.

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Ruthin Castle great gatehouse, copyright Ruthin Castle Preservation Trust

Ruthin, Denbighshire: Co-funding a structural survey and analysis of the great gatehouse of this formidable thirteenth century baronial castle that was a key part of Edward I’s strategy to secure the conquest of Wales. The project is led by Fiona Gale, chair of the Ruthin Castle Preservation Trust who will commission Mann Williams to do the survey with add context provided by Will Davies from Cadw.

Sudeley Castle outer courtyard, copyright Andy Moir

Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire: Tree-ring dating and recording with 3D imaging the original roofs of Sudeley Castles Outer Courtyard Ranges. The castle site dates to the anarchy but the castle was rebuilt in the fifteenth century by Lord Sudeley. The sampling and photography will take place on 25 and 26 February. The project will be led by Andy Moir of the Gloucestershire Building Recording Group.

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