Belsay
Encyclopedia
Belsay is a village in Northumberland
, England
. It is situated about 5 miles (8 km) to the north-west of Ponteland
on the A696
which links the village with Newcastle upon Tyne
and Jedburgh
.
Scottish nobleman and doctor John de Strivelyn
was granted the manor around 1340 by Edward III
. On his death, the estate passed to his daughter, who was married to Sir John Middleton, and has remained with the Middleton family since.
Belsay is home to Belsay Castle
, a fine medieval castle, and to Belsay Hall
.
and a Grade I listed building.
The main structure, a three storey rectangular pele tower with rounded turrets and battlements, was constructed about 1370, and was the home of the Middleton family
. In 1614 Thomas Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower. A west wing was added in 1711 but was later largely demolished in 1872 by Sir Arthur Middleton
when the remainder of the house was considerably altered.
The castle was abandoned as a residence by the family in the early 19th century when Sir Charles Monck
built Belsay Hall
close by. It is administered by English Heritage
and is open the public.
Belsay Hall is a 19th century country mansion and a Grade I listed building. The house was built between 1810 and 1817 for Sir Charles Monck
(then of Belsay Castle
close by).Sir Charles himself was the designer of the building .It is a notable and early classical building. The house measures 100 feet (30 m) square with a lower kitchen wing attached to the north side. It is in two storeys.
The hall was the residence of the Middleton family
until 1962.
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...
. It is situated about 5 miles (8 km) to the north-west of Ponteland
Ponteland
Ponteland is a village situated in Northumberland near Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The name means island in the Pont , as the area consisted of a small piece of solid ground around St. Mary's church and the old bridge, surrounded by marshland. This marshland is now drained, with housing built on...
on the A696
A696 road
The A696 is a major road in northern England, that runs from Otterburn in Northumberland to Newcastle upon Tyne.-Route:The A696 begins at a junction with the A68 road . It heads in a south-easterly direction through the village of Otterburn, and then past Kirkwhelpington...
which links the village with Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and Jedburgh
Jedburgh
Jedburgh is a town and former royal burgh in the Scottish Borders and historically in Roxburghshire.-Location:Jedburgh lies on the Jed Water, a tributary of the River Teviot, it is only ten miles from the border with England and is dominated by the substantial ruins of Jedburgh Abbey...
.
Scottish nobleman and doctor John de Strivelyn
John de Strivelyn
John de Strivelyn , also called John Stirling or Johannes de Strivelyn, was a medieval Scottish knight in English service.-Military career:...
was granted the manor around 1340 by Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
. On his death, the estate passed to his daughter, who was married to Sir John Middleton, and has remained with the Middleton family since.
Belsay is home to Belsay Castle
Belsay Castle
Belsay Castle is a 14th century medieval castle situated at Belsay, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building....
, a fine medieval castle, and to Belsay Hall
Belsay Hall
Belsay Hall is a 19th century country mansion located at Belsay, Northumberland. It is a Grade I listed building.-History:The house was built between 1810 and 1817 for Sir Charles Monck to a design by architect John Dobson...
.
Landmarks
Belsay Castle is a 14th century medieval castle situated at Belsay. It is a Scheduled Ancient MonumentScheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
and a Grade I listed building.
The main structure, a three storey rectangular pele tower with rounded turrets and battlements, was constructed about 1370, and was the home of the Middleton family
Middleton Baronets
There have been six Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Middleton, four in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
. In 1614 Thomas Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower. A west wing was added in 1711 but was later largely demolished in 1872 by Sir Arthur Middleton
Sir Arthur Middleton, 7th Baronet
Sir Arthur Edward Middleton, M.P., 7th Baronet was a British MP.He was born Arthur Edward Monck, the son of Charles Atticus Monck of Belsay Castle, Northumberland, by his wife Laura, daughter of Sir Mathew White Ridley 3rd Bt., M.P., of Blagdon Hall, Northumberland...
when the remainder of the house was considerably altered.
The castle was abandoned as a residence by the family in the early 19th century when Sir Charles Monck
Sir Charles Monck, 6th Baronet
Sir Charles Miles Lambert Monck, 6th Baronet succeeded to the Baronetcy of Belsay Castle on the death of his father in 1795...
built Belsay Hall
Belsay Hall
Belsay Hall is a 19th century country mansion located at Belsay, Northumberland. It is a Grade I listed building.-History:The house was built between 1810 and 1817 for Sir Charles Monck to a design by architect John Dobson...
close by. It is administered by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
and is open the public.
Sir Charles Monck, 6th Baronet
Sir Charles Miles Lambert Monck, 6th Baronet succeeded to the Baronetcy of Belsay Castle on the death of his father in 1795...
(then of Belsay Castle
Belsay Castle
Belsay Castle is a 14th century medieval castle situated at Belsay, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building....
close by).Sir Charles himself was the designer of the building .It is a notable and early classical building. The house measures 100 feet (30 m) square with a lower kitchen wing attached to the north side. It is in two storeys.
The hall was the residence of the Middleton family
Middleton Baronets
There have been six Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Middleton, four in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
until 1962.