KIRBY MUXLOE CASTLE

Leicestershire

Whilst at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Lord Hastings turned the existing manor house into a Castle, here at Kirby Muxloe he started from scratch.

Licence to crenellate was granted in 1474, but construction work didn't begin until 1480 by which time work on Ashby had almost been finished.  Over £1000 pounds were built on the construction, amazing when it is considered that work was never finished.

In 1483 Lord Hastings was executed on the orders of Richard III and although his widow continued building the Castle for a few months work was abandoned by 1485 (ironically the year that Richard III met his death not so very far from here on Bosworth Field).

The old manor that once existed here was almost completely destroyed by Lord Hastings who had a moat dug and the great gatehouse is very strong.  Indeed, Kirby Muxloe can be regarded as one of the last Castles built with serious defence in mind (aside from Henry VIII's coastal forts).

The Castle is owned by English Heritage and is open at any reasonable time.

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2001