Blanchland Abbey

Blanchland Abbey was founded as a Premonstratensian priory founded in 1165, turned into an abbey in the late 13th century and then dissolved in 1539 by King Henry VIII, and purchased as a manor by William Farcwell before passing by marriage to the Radclyffes and again by marriage to the Forsters.

Following the sale of the abbey, the walled precincts were considered defensible against Scottish raiders, and it is believed that some strengthening of the buildings took place. The west range around the cloister was converted into the Forster’s residence, parts of which remain in use today as the Lord Crewe Arms Hotel. This building had one portion raised in height by a storey, forming a structure similar in concept and execution as a solar tower and hall. Whether the building was functionally defensive or not is questionable, but it certainly retains features in common with a tower house of the latter 14th century.

After the death of the last of the Forsters, Lord Crewe (also the Bishop of Durham) purchased the estate in 1704, and the trustees of the estate still own the abbey church today. The church was however left in ruins until the 19th century when the trustees started to renovate the settlement and remodelled many of the buildings – doubtless the removal of any defensive structures that had been erected took place at this time, the church being completely repaired.