PEVERIL CASTLE

Derbyshire

The beautiful  Peak District town of Castleton is dominated by the really quite small keep of Peveril Castle which stands sentinel on a hill above the town.

The land was given to William Peverel, supposedly the bastard son of William I, and he almost certainly started the Castle here.  Much of the curtain walling is believed to date from Peverel's initial construction and was unusual in that it had no keep nor gatehouse, both being added later.

During medieval times the Castle was almost always known as "The Castle of the Peak" indicating its importance to the monarchs of the day.  William Peverel III forfeited his lands in 1155 and the Castle became a Royal property.

A gatehouse was added into the curtain wall by Henry II, and around 1176 the keep, which is remarkably small but still commands enviable views of the valley below, was constructed.  The Castle remained an important stronghold in a wild area and passed eventually to the Duchy of Lancaster.

It's use became less frequent by the 15th century, shortly after which it was abandoned.  No fighting seems to have occurred here.

The Castle is owned by English Heritage and open all year around.

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