BEESTON CASTLE

Cheshire

Beeston's setting is one of the most magnificent in England.  It stands high on a rocky crag overlooking the flat Cheshire Plain to the east.

This impressive site was chosen by Ranulf de Blundeville, one of the most powerful Palatine Earls of Chester for his new Castle in 1225.  A growing feeling of mutual distrust with King Henry III prompted the Earl to build a Castle away from the City of Chester.  He slowly moved his seat of power to Beeston to distance himself from the King.

The Castle followed the modern plan of curtain walls and a strong gatehouse with no keep.  In this case the protective moat was hacked into the solid rock (as is the case at Goodrich in Herefordshire).  Ranulf died in 1232 leaving the Castle incomplete.  Henry III used Beeston as his base during the Wars with Llewellyn the Great and Llewellyn the Last, but it was Edward I who completed the Castle around 1303.  Edward, the architect of the great Castles of Wales, seemed to regard Beeston as a test run and many of the forms which would become familiar in his Welsh Castles were debuted at Beeston.

Once Wales was subdued Beeston's importance became less and it slowly fell into disuse.  As usual it was the Civil War which revived Beeston.  It was initially occupied by Parliament, but was seized by a small band of Royalists who apparently scaled the massive rock on which it stands - an impressive feat of bravery if true.  However, the War slowly turned Parliament's way and the Royalists found themselves under siege.  After a year of bombardment they surrendered in 1645 and the Castle was slighted, reducing it to the ruin we are left with today.

A 19th Century 'mock' gatehouse at the foot of the hill now forms the entrance way into the Castle which is then followed by a long climb to the Castle proper at the top of its hill, well worth the effort it has to be said.

Across the valley on another high rocky outcrop stands the superb "mock gothick" Castle at Peckforton - a visit to the two on one day is certainly recommended.

Beeston Castle is owned by English Heritage.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
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2001