Dalden Tower, Medieval fortified manor house in Seaham, England
Dalden Tower is a medieval fortified manor in Seaham built from roughly dressed limestone and sandstone walls with rubble infill, forming a rectangular structure measuring about 10 by 15 meters. The building stands within a medieval manorial complex that includes protective ditches and earthen banks, particularly visible on the southern section of the site.
The structure dates to the 12th century when it was owned by the Escolland family. A key moment came around 1320 when Sir Jordan de Dalden received permission to build a private chapel on the property.
A small niche on the first floor's southeast corner displays two carved shields that show the tastes of medieval English nobility. These details reveal how the family who lived here wanted to display their status and importance.
The site is open to visitors, but the ground can be uneven with ditches and banks throughout, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Allow time to walk around the ruins and explore the wider manorial complex at a relaxed pace.
By the late 1700s, stones from the decaying structure were taken and reused to build Dalden Hall, which was later demolished in 1967. This shows how materials from the original manor were recycled into a newer building that itself did not survive long.
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