Appleby Castle
Appleby Castle is in the town of Appleby, Cumbria overlooking the River Eden (grid reference NY685200). It consists of a 12th-century castle keep which is known as Caesar's tower, and a mansion house. These, together with their associated buildings, are set in a courtyard surrounded by curtain walls.[1] Caesar's tower[2] and the mansion house[3] have each been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building. The uninhabited parts of the castle are a scheduled ancient monument.[4]
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[edit] History
The castle was founded by Ranulf le Meschin at the beginning of the 12th century. In about 1170 the square stone keep known as Caesar's Tower was built. The castle was in Royal hands when the Scottish King, William the Lion, invaded the Eden Valley in 1174. The constable of the castle surrendered without a fight.[5]
In 1203 the castle was granted to Robert de Vieuxpont by King John.[6] In 1269 it came into the possession of Roger de Clifford and it remained in the ownership of the Clifford family for nearly 400 years. In the mid 17th century, Lady Anne Clifford made the castle her home and she was responsible for the restoration of the castle. On her death the castle passed to the Earls of Thanet. They were responsible for converting the hall block into a classical mansion house.[5] The upper parts of Caesar's tower were altered in the 17th and 18th centuries.[2]
The north wall of house and the west part of north wing with the round tower date from the 13th century. The eastern part of the house was built in 1454. The house was partly dismantled in 1648 and was restored by Lady Anne Clifford in 1651–53. The house was largely rebuilt in 1686 and the north-west wing was added in 1695. In the 19th century it was again restored and sash windows were inserted.[3]
In 1972 the castle was purchased by Ferguson Industrial Holdings (FIH PLC) and become the primary residence of Denis Vernon the CEO of the company, and his family. The Vernons lived at Appleby Castle until 1990. During this period, Denis Vernon, a passionate conservationist established a Rare Breeds Survival Centre. Considerable improvements were made to the fabric of all the buildings, not least the 12th century Keep. During this period as the Head Quarters and Training Centre of FIH PLC, and for those running the Conservation Centre, meant that there was a thriving community. Documentary and Movie Director Susannah White featured Denis Vernon and Appleby Castle in her BBC documentary on the Gypsy Horse Fair Held Annually in Appleby.
Appleby Castle is now a private residence and is not open to the public.[7]
[edit] Structure
Caesar's tower is built in grey stone rubble and ashlar.[3] It is about 80 feet (24 m) high and has four storeys.[6] The main house is in two wings which are at right angles to each other. A semicircular round tower protrudes from the north wall of the north wing and a large square tower is at the south end of the east wing.[1].
[edit] Other features
The gateway to the castle courtyard and two adjoining cottages are listed Grade I. The gateway is in grey stone and battlemented, dating probably from the 17th century.[8] In the grounds of the castle is Lady Anne's Bee-house, which was built by Lady Anne Clifford in the middle of the 17th century. It is a square, stone building in two storeys with a pyramid roof and a door on the lower level. The upper level has a pointed arched window on each of three sides and a door on the fourth side. It is also listed Grade I.[9] Two stretches of the sandstone outer walls to the castle dating mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries are listed Grade II,[10][11] as is the battlemented North Lodge which dates from the 19th century.[12] The grounds around the castle are listed Grade II*.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Appleby Castle, Visit Cumbria, http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/appbcas.htm, retrieved 2007-11-30
- ^ a b "Caesar's tower at Appleby Castle", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1145604, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ a b c "Main Building of Appleby Castle", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1137815, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ "Appleby Castle, uninhabited parts", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1003276, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ a b Appleby Castle, Castle Explorer, http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/england/appleby/appleby.php, retrieved 2007-11-30
- ^ a b Fry, Plantagenet Somerset (1980), The David & Charles Book of Castles, Newton Abbot: David & Charles, pp. 178–179, ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
- ^ Appleby Castle, CastleUK, http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_north/91/applebycastle.htm, retrieved 2007-11-30
- ^ "Castle Moat Cottage, Gatehouse Cottage, gateway to Appleby Castle", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1145605, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ "Lady Anne's Bee-house in copse to northeast of former stable block at Appleby Castle", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1319047, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ "Outer wall to Appleby Castle grounds, from South Lodge to the river", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1311497, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ "Outer wall to Appleby Castle grounds, from North Lodge to South Lodge", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1319066, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ "North Lodge to Appleby Castle", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1145606, retrieved 8 May 2011
- ^ "Appleby Castle", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1000659, retrieved 8 May 2011
[edit] External links
Media related to Appleby Castle at Wikimedia Commons
