PENDRAGON CASTLE

Westmorland

The Castle stands in the heart of the Vale of Mallerstang (it is sometimes known as Mallerstang Castle) shortly before the River Eden passes into Yorkshire.

Legend says this was the home of Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur.

The truth is that, whether or not Uther did live here, it was certainly not in this Castle which was built by Hugh de Morville early in the 12th century.  De Morville was one of the knights who murdered Thomas Becket at Canterbury.  Although he lost his other Castles, de Morville managed to retain Pendragon Castle and he certainly built the keep, of which the bottom section remains today.

Like his other Castles Pendragon passed to the hands of Robert de Clifford who refortified the Castle around 1309.  The Scots put paid to this only a few years later in 1341 when they attacked and sacked the Castle, after which time it seems to have fallen into disuse.

Lady Anne Clifford restored the keep around 1660 (during the Commonwealth) along with her other Castles at Brougham, Brough, Appleby and Skipton in Yorkshire.  However, after her death the Castle fell back into misuse and subsequently ruin.

The Castle is freely accessible.

Back to Castles of Westmorland Page

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001