Medieval towerhouse.


The site may have been the seat of the bishops of Sodor and Man from as early as the 13th century, though no physical evidence from this period has been identified. Bishop Simon died at the nearby church of St Michael in 1247.


The earliest structural evidence is the 14th century towerhouse, which has been ascribed to Bishop Duncan. A fortified residence would have been appropriate at the time, as the Island was a target for Scottish raiding. In its original form, it seems likely that the tower comprised a basement, perhaps two residential storeys, and a defensible fighting top.