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Chorley Historical and
Archaeological Society meeting at Chorley Library
Dod Waring gave her presentation on the excavations at Dilston Castle.
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Our first meeting of the year was
also in our new venue. We were treated to another of Dot
Waring’s presentations, this time to Dilston Castle,
Norhumberland. We had originally hoped that Neil Thompson would
be able to talk to us but after suffering a brain tumour some
time ago he died in December 2007. |
James Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Derwentwater
Born: 28 June 1689 Died: 24 Feb. 1716 with Anna Maria (Webb) Radclyffe
and child. Painted a year or so before his execution. |
The 17th Century papers that started
it all |
Dot had given her
Dilston talk to Wigan Archaeological Society in Oct 2007 but the
talk she gave to us seemed to have some additions. The following
text is a copy of that describing the Wigan lecture. Her
interest began many years ago when she was asked to look after
some 17th century papers. These referred to the castle and the
Radcliffe family, who had strong ties with Lancashire. Today,
Dilston Castle, a picturesque ruin, is all that remains of the
grand family seat of the Radcliffes, Earls of Derwentwater. This
ruined, early-fifteenth--century tower house was once
incorporated in the western wing of Dilston Hall. Dilston
Chapel, which stands nearby, was built c.1616 and is a rare
example of a post-Reformation recusant chapel. |
Dilston excavations |
One of several tunnels under the site. |
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At the foot of a
wooded escarpment beyond the Castle, the Devil's Water, a lively
tributary of the River Tyne, flows beneath an elegant,
single-span bridge, built at the same time as the chapel. James
Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater was involved in the failed
Jacobite rising at the Battle of Preston in 1715. He was one of
the 1,468 Jacobites taken prisoner. He was executed for his
actions. Dot and husband John were volunteer excavators and
while Dot surveyed and drew details of a cobbled forecourt John
was busy investigating some underground tunnels which had been
found. |
One of Dot's survey drawings. |
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