LUMLEY CASTLE

County Durham

This huge and handsome building above the River Wear near Chester-le-Street dates from 1389 when Sir Ralph Lumley received a licence to crenellate from Bishop Walter Skirlaw (the Prince Bishops of Durham being allowed to grant such things).  It is likely that this involved a rebuild on a house the Lumley's had had here since 1300 or so.

In 1392, despite having carried out most of the work already, Sir Ralph decided to hedge his bets and applied for a second licence to crenellate - this time from the King.  Soon after this he joined the Earl of Kent's rebellion and was killed at Cirencester.  The Castle was confiscated and not returned to his son until 1404.

The Castle remained in its original form until 1577 when some alterations were made.  During the Civil War it was garrisoned by Sir William Langley (brother-in-law to Sir Richard Lumley) for the King.  Some damage was caused in the ensuing struggle and Sir Richard was lucky to escape with his life, although he was miles away in the south of England.

In 1690 a later Sir Richard Lumley became Earl of Scarborough and Lumley Castle was turned into a sumptuous mansion.  The Earls moved out around 1800 and the Castle stood empty and decaying until around 1904 when it was occupied part-time by the countess of Scarborough. Today it is leased by the Earl of Scarborough to a company who operate it as a luxury hotel, and what more stunning a hotel could one wish to stay in?

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2018