NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

Nottinghamshire

Nottingham Castle is, of course, associated with Robin Hood and more particularly the Sheriff of Nottingham.  It must come as a disappointment then to those who approach the Castle today to find a neo-classical mansion crowning the commanding position where the Castle once stood.

William I established the first Castle here in 1068.  Henry II was the first King to convert the Castle to stone, and if the Sheriff of Nottingham of legend was ever here it was during the period of King John's favour...the nearby Sherwood Forest being superb hunting land.

The hill on which the Castle stands is riddled with caves, and it is supposed to be through these that Edward III entered the Castle to kidnap Roger Mortimer before his execution in 1330. Henry III built a gatehouse and Edward IV at least one round tower (the remains of both of which are the only medieval structures left at the Castle).

At the start of the Civil War Charles I raised the Royal standard at Nottingham Castle before moving on.  Nottingham was the centre of many skirmishes during the War which followed and afterwards, in 1651, Parliament ordered the destruction of the Castle and the towns defences. The slighting was very thorough and little was left.

Two decades or so later the Duke of Newcastle built a new mansion here.  This was later destroyed in the Reform riots of 1831.  The restoration happened soon afterwards and today the Castle holds a museum and art gallery.

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2019