BRIDGNORTH CASTLE

Shropshire

One of the most dramatic of all England's ruined Castles, Shropshire's broken keep leans at a greater angle than that of the more famous Tower in Pisa, Italy; to be precise 15 degrees from the veritical - three times the lean that Pisa has!

It was first founded in 1101 by Robert de Belleme to replace his motte Castle at Quatford. He held it for only one year before it was confiscated by the King after a three month siege, a siege Castle stands across the valley which was built in 1102 but used in the later sieges of 1155, 1321 and 1646!  The Castle was next seized by Hugh de Mortimer during the Anarchy and he held it until 1155 when it was besieged once again and taken.

Determined perhaps not to lose the Castle again Kings HenryII and John spent a large amount of money on the Castle between 1155 and 1189 during which period the Keep was constructed, and a barbican was later added.  Early in the 1200s more work was undertaken on the Castle, but once Edward I had pushed into Wales the Castle fell into disuse.

It was besieged and captured once more in 1321 during the Baron's Revolt, but it was soon retaken and returned once again to its slow decay.  That said, when Leland surveyed it in 1540 there was still a great deal of the Castle left, including a "great gate" which was discovered during building work in 1821.

In 1646 the Civil War arrived in Bridgnorth and the Castle was subjected to a 26 day siege by Parliament, after which an attempt was made to blow the keep up; resulting in its current lean.

The fascinating ruin of Bridgnorth Castle stands in a small public park next to the impressive town Church in one of the most attractive towns in this part of the country.

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