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Field Visit
Date 15 April 1912
Event ID 1088423
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1088423
127. Cowdenknowes.
This mansion-house (figs. 67 [DP 225514] and 68 [SC 1173014]) is situated on the east bank of the Leader, distant about 1 mile to the south of Earlston, and has been enlarged in modern times. It appears that in the 16th century it consisted of three distinct parts-a tower or keep on the north-east and highest part of the ground; at a lower level, and to the south-west, a mansion-house bearing date 1574; and 90 feet or so to the south of this, on the steep, sloping river bank, a small tower now in ruin. These buildings doubtless represent portions of a large castle connected by curtain walls and enclosing a considerable courtyard now occupied as open gardens.
The tower is three storeys in height and oblong on plan, measuring 21 feet 6 inches by 18 feet over walls averaging 3 feet 6 inches in thickness, and having a wheel-staircase 5 feet 6 inches square, formed at the south angle, which gives access to the attic and parapet-walks from the first-floor level. The main entrance to the mansion-house is by a recently constructed doorway in the north-east wall of the tower which now serves as an outer vestibule giving access to a modern inner hall on the level of the first floor, occupying what was formerly the open space to the south-west. The corbelling at the level of the parapet is distinctly characteristic of the 17th century. It consists of three small continuous members supporting a corbel-table decorated with a series of alternate raised and sunk squares, each of the latter containing a: small raised circle, and two decorative quatrefoil shot-holes flanking the lower angles of the recessed panels formed in the exterior of the parapet and gable walls. The upper line of the corbel-table is defined by a moulded string-course which is returned round the sills of the wall recesses. The parapets, with their four embrasures, appear to have been built at a subsequent period, when the gables and chimney were also added. The date 1554 has been re-cut in relief on the south-eastern wall of the tower, and may possibly refer to the period of its foundation.
The other ancient portion of the mansion-house is the south-eastern basement, which, owing to the natural slope of the ground southwards, is some 10 feet below the ground-floor level of the tower. It consists of five vaulted apartments measuring about 87 feet by 21 feet 6 inches over walls averaging from 3 feet 3 inches to 4 feet in thickness. At the north-east angle of this portion and at the re-entering angle formed by a modern addition to the south-west, there are two small wings (fig. 69 [SC 1173015]) projecting for a distance of some 9 feet in a south-easterly direction and measuring respectively about 9 feet by 8, and 7 feet square within walls averaging 2 feet 6 inches in thickness. Access to the small south-east wing, which contains a wheel stair, is gained by an ornate doorway (fig. 70 [SC 1173016]) formed in the south-east wall, having a fillet-and-hollow moulding wrought on the jambs and side pilasters of half-round section with the cabled form of decoration. The lintel is of one stone, with a moulded cornice and plain frieze bearing the letters S·I·H-V·K·H carved in relief, followed by the date 1574. The upper surface of the cornice supports a sloping copestone finishing at the wall face in the form of a plain bead and having a rounded termination over each pilaster. At a height of about 3 feet above the first-floor window-sills there is a projecting corbel-course enriched with a double row of billets. Above this level the masonry appears to have been renewed. The south-east wing is vaulted on the ground floor, and has originally been entered by a doorway formed moulded bases, while the entablature is surmounted by a decorative pediment containing the initials of Sir James Home carved in relief in monogram. A projecting corbel-course of the same type as that on the south-west wing is carried round the three sides of this wing. Above it is a corbel-table having an inscription carved in relief within raised margins bearing the legend - FEIR GOD· FLEE FROM SYNNE . AND MAK FOR YE LYFE EVERLASTING. The upper line of the inscription is emphasised by an enriched string-course.
See Cast. and Dom. Arch., iii. p. 425 (illus.); Ber. Nat. Club,1863-68, p. 268.
RCAHMS 1915, visited 15 April 1912.
