Bowes Castle

BOWES THE STREET NY 9913 (South side, off) 33/33 Bowes Castle I Keep with foundations of forebuilding to east. Circa 1171-87 by Richard the engineer for King Henry II. Sandstone rubble core faced with ashlar and incorporating some Roman masonry. Square plan.

2 storeys standing and ruinous third storey. Double-chamfered plinth. Each face has projecting corners and a broad flat central buttress with set-back wall panels between. Fragmentary roll-moulded band above first floor.

East front: remains of forebuilding with triple-chamfered plinth to north; first-floor round-arched north doorway has set-back voussoirs and is flanked by small round-arched openings. South-east corner has slits and contains partly- reconstructed spiral stair.

South front: first-floor round-arched hall window of 2 orders (inner order chamfered)to east; several round-headed loops to west.

Badly-damaged west front: exposed mural passages and a first-floor garderobe chute to south; projecting section at foot of chute has 2 round-arched openings; fragmentary large windows to north.

North front: large round-headed first-floor window with set-back rounded jambs.

Interior: ground-floor has several springers for destroyed rib vaults; north- east corner contained first-floor kitchen with fireplace and a simple flue leading out through north wall.

Scheduled Ancient Monument. (The Victoria History of the Counties of England, ed. William Page F.S.A, A History of the County of York North Riding,1925.)

Listing NGR: NY9923413504