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Ponteland Castle Location OS Landranger sheet 88 NZ 165729 How to get there from Newcastle on A696, In Ponteland beyond the lights over the bridge turn right onto the Morpeth road. 150Yards on the left of the road. The Blackbird Inn is a "public house" |
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<<<Click for larger image of the history board at the Inn. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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NZ 165729/Trace/Access The ruins of a tower stand as part of the Blackbird Inn at Ponteland in which is incorporated a barrel-vaulted basement. The Bertrams of Mitford had a "capital messuage" here before 1256, with a chapel and a courtroom. In 1262 they granted it to William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. In 1324 it passed by marriage to David, Earl of Athol. The Scots raided it in 1388, Aymer de Athol, the then owner was taken of as a captive to Scotland by the Douglases. It was rebuilt in C17. Yet again it fell into ruins and was roofless until 1935 when it was restored and built into the inn. On the east side of the basement is an impressive fireplace of about 1600. There is thought to be a passage under the road leading to the Vicars Pele. Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Erringtons Tower; Blackbird Inn; Castle of Aymer de Athol; Pontclau. |
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