SPOFFORTH CASTLE

West Riding of Yorkshire

Spofforth Castle, West Riding of Yorkshire

One of Yorkshire's lesser known ruined Castles, Spofforth is quite important in that it was the first Castle with surviving stonework of the Percy family.  Henry de Percy obtained licence to crenellate in 1308.  The following year he purchased land at Alnwick and thus began the families journey to being one of the most powerful in the land.

Spofforth, however, had a relatively short shelf-life because once installed at Alnwick the Percys all but ignored this small Castle.  What survives today is mostly domestic buildings from a rebuild in the 15th century, although the undercroft survives from the original.

The Castle was sacked by Yorkists in 1461 and was probably never repaired.

Spofforth Castle is owned by English Heritage and freely accessible during daylight hours.

Back to Castles of the West Riding

Back to Castles of the West Riding

© 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

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