St Columb Major; The Old Rectory

In the civil parish of St Columb Major.
In the historic county of Cornwall (Modern Authority of Cornwall, 1974 county of Cornwall).

40m square moated platform probably built by Ralph de Arundell, rector 1303-1329. Withstood an attack by a mob in 1309. Possible castle. Salter thinks perhaps a tower like Gidleigh. Grade 2* C19 building on site.

This site has been described as a Tower House:

The term Towerhouse is much used and loosely defined, some authors use it for any type of tower house, including pele towers, and there is, indeed, a continuum in size and status between these buildings. However, I more closely define a Towerhouse as a form of Fortified Manor House where all the accommodation is in one tower, often has a parapet along the top of the tower, turrets and other defensive features. Although the residential buildings form one tower this would usually have had a court of ancillary buildings. This is a high status building and usually a manorial centre. Unsurprisingly for high status buildings these sites are often named castle.

The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Possible.

Earthworks remains.

This site is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law*. (Images of England number 71209)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SW911639

Modern Map from

Good for landscape form and features

Modern Map from

Good for general location

Air Photo from

1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 430731

Books
- Salter, Mike, 1999, The Castles of Devon and Cornwall (Malvern) p35
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p77
Antiquarian (Histories and accounts from late medieval and early modern writers)
- Harvey, J., 1969, William of Worcester Itinerarii 23

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