Barnaby's Tower facts for kids
Barnaby's Tower is a cool old building found at the southeast corner of the Chester city walls in Chester, Cheshire, England. It's super important because it's listed as a Grade I building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's a very special historic place that needs to be protected!
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Barnaby's Tower: A Historic Landmark
Barnaby's Tower is more than just a stone structure. It's a piece of history that tells us about Chester's past. Standing tall on the city walls, it has seen many changes over the centuries.
What is Barnaby's Tower?
This tower is part of the famous Chester city walls. It sticks out from the walls, making a three-sided shape. Its top is level with the walkway on the walls. It looks like it has battlements, which are the fancy, tooth-like tops on old castles, but these are just for decoration!
A Glimpse into History
Barnaby's Tower likely dates back to the 13th century, which is over 700 years ago! Imagine all the things it has seen. It has been repaired many times over the years to keep it strong.
The English Civil War's Impact
The tower faced tough times during the English Civil War between 1644 and 1646. This was a big fight in England between the King and Parliament. Barnaby's Tower was damaged during this conflict.
From Defense to Walkway
After the war, the city walls changed. Between 1702 and 1708, they were turned into a raised walkway for people to enjoy. Barnaby's Tower was then made into a special feature at this corner of the walls. Later, around 1879–1880, a city councillor paid to have it changed again.
How Was It Built?
Barnaby's Tower is made from red sandstone. The stones are laid in neat rows, and it sits on a natural rocky outcrop (a part of a rock formation that sticks out of the ground).
Materials and Design
The tower is built using "coursed red sandstone rubble." This means it's made from rough, broken pieces of red sandstone, but they are carefully arranged in layers. Even though it looks strong, there's no evidence of a room or chamber inside the tower at a lower level.
