KNARESBOROUGH CASTLE

West Riding of Yorkshire

The shattered remains of a very strong Castle stand high above the River Nidd, with some wonderful views up and down river.

The Castle probably dates to quite early in Norman days, but it is first mentioned in 1130.  King John greatly strengthened the Castle, but little remains from his work.  The bulk of the stonework is attributable, unusually, to Edward II who spent an astonishing £2174 on the Castle.  After the Robert the Bruce invasion scare passed, Edward gave the Castle to the hated Piers Gaveston (see also Scarborough and Warwick).  The Castle was later occupied by Queen Philippa of Hainault, Edward III's wife, maintaining a strong Royal presence here during Edward's protracted periods fighting in France.

The Castle later became part of the Duchy of Lancaster and thus, when Henry Bolingbroke reached the Throne, became a Royal Castle once more.  However, as the post-Wars of the Roses peace progressed the Castle slowly fell into decline.

It was refortified for the King at the start of the Civil War and was besieged for six months, surrendering in December 1644 after which the Castle was badly slighted leaving the ruin we have today.

The Castle stands in a small municipal park and what rooms remain are open to the public during the summer months.

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2001