Norton Tower, Rylstone

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Rylston; Rylestone

In the civil parish of Rylstone.
In the historic county of Yorkshire West Riding (Modern Authority of North Yorkshire, 1974 county of North Yorkshire).

Remains of tower. Probably C16 for Richard Norton. Coursed gritstone. A square structure, approximately 10m x 15m, the corners standing approximately 3m high but the walls slighted. Original entrance probably on the south side, remains of a fireplace and stone newel stair on east side, no windows survive. The ruin stands among extensive earthworks and is only one part of an important archaeological site which includes rabbit warrens (pillow mounds) and probably prehistoric field clearance cairns to the south. The building was a hunting lodge of the Nortons of Rylstone and Norton Conyers and was slighted after the family's involvement in the Rising of the North, 1569

This site has been described as a;
Pele Tower.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Possible.
Masonry footings remains.

This site is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law*. (Images of England number 324823)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SD97605703

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; 46400

Books

Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles and Tower Houses of Yorkshire (Malvern) p67
King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p524
Whitaker, T.D., 1878 (3edn edited by A.W. Morant), The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven in the County of York (Leedsand London) p524, 526

Journal Articles

Villy, 1921, Bradford Antiquary Vol4 p178-89 [rather off the subject]

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*The listed building may not be the actual medieval building, but a building on the site of, or incorporating fragments of, the described site.

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This record last updated on Friday, April 6, 2007

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