Mitford Castle
Mitford Castle | ||
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Grid reference NZ170855 | |
Mitford Castle is an English castle dating from the end of the 11th century and located at
Mitford Castle was the first of three seats for the main line of the Mitford family constructed on manor lands. Following the destruction of Mitford Castle, Mitford Old Manor House (nearby and to the northwest) was used from the 16th century until the construction of Mitford Hall in 1828. Mitford Hall stands in an 85-acre (340,000 m2) park to the west of the castle ruins.
History
Prior to the 1066
There are conflicting accounts over the castle's destruction. One theory is of a fire during Middleton's rebellion. Another theory is that it was destroyed by the Scots in May 1318 during Middleton's imprisonment in the Tower of London. It was certainly destroyed by 1323 as records of an inquest held that year after the death of its then owner
The estate, including the castle, was purchased by the Bruce Shepherd family in 1993 from the Mitford family.[6] English Heritage grants in the 2000s were offered towards repairs, restoration and preservation, and some of the work has been completed.[6][7]
Architecture
The castle ruins are
The chapel, built in the mid 12th century and largely destroyed in the early 19th century, is also of squared stone. A sanctuary or chancel arch remain.[8] A cemetery was uncovered in 1939 north of the chapel with headstones dating to the 12th century. At least one stone was moved to the Mitford churchyard with others removed or vandalised.[9]
Remains of a 12–13th century east curtain wall of squared stone include a gateway to a barmkin, mural chambers, garderobe, and a round arch.[10] This east curtain wall area is flanked by a semicircular breastwork, the strongest part of the building.[2] The west curtain wall and structures are also of the 12–13th century and squared stone, with different builds and masonry types found across three different sections.[11]
An inner courtyard used as a garden and orchard measured approximately 340 ft (100 m) by 340 ft (100 m).[2]
Notes
- ^ a b c d "Mitford Castle, Remains of Inner Ward and Keep, Mitford". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g The Saturday magazine. Vol. 10. J. W. Parker. 1837. p. 50.
- ^ Burke, Sir Bernard (1866). A genealogical history of the dormant, abeyant, forfeited, and extinct peerages of the British empire. Harrison. p. 52.
a genealogical history bertram barons bertram mitford.
- ^ Burke (1866), pp. 254
- ^ Burke (1866), pp. 517
- ^ a b "Historical Note". shepherdoffshore.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ "Mitford Castle, Mitford, Northumberland". english-heritage.org.uk. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ "Mitford Castle. Remains of Chapel in Outer Ward, Mitford". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ "Mitford Castle. Two Headstones to North of Chapel Ruin, Mitford". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ "Mitford Castle. Remains of East Curtain Wall, Mitford". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ "Mitford Castle. Remains of West Curtain Wall Buildings, Mitford". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
References
- Somerset, F. P. (1980). The David & Charles Book of Castles. Newton Abbot, Devon: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
External links
- Images of Mitford Castle
- Mysteries of Mitford Castle
- Historic England. "(inner ward and keep) (1370755)". National Heritage List for England.
- Historic England. "(west curtain wall buildings) (1042645)". National Heritage List for England.
- Historic England. "(east curtain wall) (1042646)". National Heritage List for England.
- Historic England. "(chapel) (1370756)". National Heritage List for England.
- Historic England. "(headstones) (1042647)". National Heritage List for England.
- Heritage at Risk Register: Mitford+Castle