BROUGH CASTLE

Westmorland

A Roman fort stood on the site of Brough Castle, on the main road from Carlisle to York, long before the first Castle was constructed here by William Rufus soon after the Normans invaded the area in 1092.  It was almost certainly constructed in stone from the beginning.  In 1174 William the Lion of Scotland invaded the Eden Valley and, having encountered no resistance at Appleby Castle, arrived at Brough to find a quite different welcome.

The Castle defenders put up a brave fight, but eventually William stormed the Castle and destroyed it.  As with Appleby Castle, Brough was subsequently granted to Theobald de Valoignes and he rebuilt the keep in the form we see today.  Again like Appleby the Castle passed to Roger Clifford in 1289.  He was a great Castle builder and he was most likely responsible for the hall range and extensions to the Castle.

The Castle was attacked several times during Scottish raids, but never taken.  A fire claimed the Castle in 1521 and it was very much a ruin by the time Lady Anne Clifford undertook her rebuilding work during the Commonwealth (see also Brougham, Appleby, Skipton and Pendragon).  However, Brough was still in poor condition and was soon abandoned.

Brough Castle is today an English Heritage property and is freely accessible during daylight hours.

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2018