Aydon Castle, Aydon.
Standing in a secluded woodland setting this English Heritage property is one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th-century English manor house. It was originally built as an undefended residence, but almost immediately fortified on the outbreak of Anglo-Scottish warfare. Nevertheless it was pillaged and burnt by the Scots in 1315, seized by English rebels two years later, and again occupied by Scots in 1346. In the 18th century Aydon became a farmhouse, remaining so until 1966.
ProjectEmergency repairs were needed to one of the stone peaks on this castle, collapse was inevitable.
A scaffold was erected at the peak, each stone was carefully dismantled and recorded.
Iron cramps which are not unusual to find within old stone walls were rusting causing jacking of the stones. Picture [A] shows the extent of the jacking of stones.
In picture [B] the stones are being removed and you can just see the old iron cramp that has caused the problem.
Picture [C] shows one of the iron cramps and the extent of the decay.
After the wall was fully reduced and all the old iron cramps removed, the wall was then built back up. Existing photos taken before the peak was reduced showed what stones were laid where on the peak, and all galleting etc was re-bedded into their original position. Photo [D] shows the peak being built back up with the new stainless steel cramp in position.
Created: 18/05/2010 - [Team Force Restoration Ltd © 2012]