Spofforth Castle
| Spofforth Castle | |
|
Yorkshire | |
|---|---|
 Spofforth Castle | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE360510 |
| Location: | 53°57’16"N, 1°27’6"W |
| Village: | Spofforth |
| History | |
| Key events: | Civil War |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | English Heritage |
Spofforth Castle, in Spofforth in the West Riding of Yorkshire, was a fortified manor house of the Middle Ages. It was ruined during the Civil War and its ruins are now in the care of English Heritage, opened as a tourist attraction.
History
Spofforth Castle was built by Henry de Percy in the early 14th century when he was given a licence to crenelate a manor house on the site, with later alterations made in the 14th and 15th centuries.[1]
The Percy estates, including Spofforth, were confiscated after the rebellion against King Henry IV in 1408 and given to Sir Thomas Rokeby. They were later restored and then lost again in 1461 when the Percys supported the losing side in the War of the Roses. Spofforth was eventually returned to the family and remained inhabited by their steward until 1604.[2]
The castle was reduced to ruins during the Civil War of 1642–46.[2]
The castle was given to the Office of Works in 1924 by the Baron Leconfield.[2] The ruins, primarily the west side of the original castle, are now listed as a grade II* listed building and under the guardianship of English Heritage as a tourist attraction, but are managed by Spofforth-with-Stockeld Parish Council.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Spofforth Castle) |
- Spofforth Castle - English Heritage
- National Heritage List 10207658: Spofforth Castle
References
- ↑ Pettifer, p.309.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Spofforth Castle: History and research
- Pettifer, Adrian (2002). English Castles: A Guide by Counties. Woodbridge, UK: Boydell Press. ISBN 9780851157825. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=47iheRUGKIEC.