Castles
Castles were the main fortifications in Medieval Times. Lords, nobles, and kings owned this establishments and some of these castles would have their people in them, but some had a village on the outside of the wall. Inside you would have stables, for horses, an armory, for the soldiers to have equipment to protect themselves. In castles that the people would live in, you would have markets and living areas. Some castles would have added protection with a motte which was a big hill, sometimes natural, sometimes man made. If the motte was man made, the men would usually get the dirt from around the castle creating a moat which sometimes was filled with water but it all equaled in greater protection. Castles would have walls too, and have crenellations, which were the gaps in between the wall providing cover for the soldiers on the castle. On castles, you would have a keep, which is where the guy in charge of the castle would usually stay. It would be the tallest tower on the castle so you could see from anywhere and if a castle was being captured, it was usually the last stand for the men who were being attacked.
Beeston Castle
Beeston Castle was built in the 1220's by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester in Beeston, Cheshire, England. This castle was a bit more unique than others. Instead of having the keep being the last line of defense, the natural features of the land, along with the massive walls, strong gate houses, and well placed towers made the baileys the strongholds. After Ranulph died, his son, John, took over but then died in 1237. Since John had no male heir, King Henry III took over the Earldom of Cheshire. During Henry's wars with Wales, he enlarged the castle and used it as a prison for Welsh captives. Later, in the middle of the 16th century, the castle was considered to be of no further use to the English and it was sold to Sir Hugh Beeston. Rumors say that Richard II hid a treasure in the castle grounds. No one has found anything, but its still possible.
Brancepeth Castle
The land that Brancepeth Castle is based on has been the location for many other buildings. The first was a Norman castle built by the Bulmers which was rebuilt by the Nevilles in the late 14th century. In 1569, the English took the castle and has had numerous amount of owners of the years. In the 1820's, the castle was restorted and much of the building is from that restoration. During the First World War, the castle was used as a hospital and later it became the regimental
headquarters for the Durham Light Infantry during the
Second World War.
headquarters for the Durham Light Infantry during the
Second World War.
Carn Brea Castle
Carn Brea Castle was built in 1379 and was originally built as a chapel dedicated to St. Michael. It has been extensively rebuilt in different periods since. The biggest change was in the 18th century by the Basset Family where it became a hunting lodge. It is considered to be a Folly castle due to the uncut rocks that make up part of the foundation. It was also used as a beacon for ships to the north. For a while it was not used or repaired from the 1950's to the 1970's until private renovation in 1975- 1980. After the renovations, it was converted into a Middle
Eastern cuisine restaurant.
Eastern cuisine restaurant.
Penrith Castle
Penrith Castle was built between 1399 and 1470 as a defense against Scottish raids. It was built by William Strickland and it was later developed by the Neville family. After the Neville family, it was passed onto the English where it is thought to have been the residence of King Richard III. The castle and the land around was given to Hans Willem Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland. After many owners, the ownership was pasted onto the Penrith Urban District Council, who in the 1920's
converted the grounds into a puble park.
converted the grounds into a puble park.
Dartmouth Castle
Dartmouth Castle was built in 1388 by John Hawley. A guntower attached to the castle was built by the corporation of Dartmouth between 1481 and 1495 and other additons. This was because of new military technology so it was able to be used with the castle. The castle was used during the Civil War, and the First and Second World Wars, and overlooked the D-Day preparations.