Thirlwall Castle
| Thirlwall Castle | |
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Thirlwall Castle in 2011
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 Thirlwall Castle
 Thirlwall Castle shown within Northumberland |
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| OS grid reference | Ny660661 |
| Coordinates | 54°59′20″N 2°31′55″W / 54.989°N 2.532°WCoordinates: 54°59′20″N 2°31′55″W / 54.989°N 2.532°W |
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Thirlwall Castle is a 12th-century castle in Northumberland, England, on the bank of the River Tipalt close to the village of Greenhead and approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Hexham. It was built in the 12th century, and later strengthened using stones from nearby Hadrian's Wall, but began to fall into disrepair in the 17th century. The site is protected by Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
"Thirlwall" combines Middle English "Thirl", contracted with "wall"; in context, reference and proximity to Roman-built Hadrian's Wall from which Thirlwall Castle was materially built. `Thirl' [as verb] means "perforated-" or [as noun] "bored-wall", from the Old English þyrel, þyrl, "a hole made through anything, an aperture, orifice" and weall "wall". As used and described in an Atlantic Monthly article, it is referenced as "a small passage built into a wall to allow sheep but not cattle to pass through ... a thirl, or a thawl". In Greek, the word `Thura' "θύρα thýra, [pronounced] thoo'-rah; apparently a primary word (compare "door"); a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively):—door, gate.". The middle English noun `thirl' likewise references a portal; a through passage, gate or door [`thura'] through which lambs enter in. Book of John (KJV), tenth chapter conveys this same meaning: "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door [`thura'] of the sheep. I am the door [`thura']: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:7;9). "Thirl", corresponding identically in meaning to Greek "thura", conjoined with "wall" then forms "Thirlwall" having reference to Roman-built Hadrian's Wall between Northeast England and Scotland in Northumbria.
The home of the Thirlwall family, it was fortified in about 1330 by John Thirlwall. In a survey of 1542 it was reported as in the ownership of Robert Thirlwall and in a 'measurable good' state of repair.
Sir Percival Thirlwall of Thirlwall Castle was killed at the Battle of Bosworth whilst fighting in the Yorkist cause on 22 August 1485. He was Richard’s standard-bearer in the final charge at Bosworth. He held up the standard even after his legs had been cut from under him (possible source Bennett, Michael. The Battle of Bosworth, 1985, rev. 1993. pp. 114 and 116).
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