Berry Pomeroy ruins (in Devon, UK)
On a wooded hill, close to the River Dart in southern Devon, lie the unusual remains of Berry Pomeroy Castle. This site was first occupied by the Pomeroy family during… Read More »Berry Pomeroy ruins (in Devon, UK)
12th century
Barnard Castle
Situated along the River Tees in County Durham, Barnard Castle was originally a modest structure created by Guy de Balliol in the 11th century. Some 100 years later, Guy’s small… Read More »Barnard Castle
Ashby De La Zouch (Hastings, UK)
In the 15th century, Edward IV granted Ashby De La Zouch Castle to Lord Hastings who converted what was no more than a fortified manor house into a grand castle,… Read More »Ashby De La Zouch (Hastings, UK)
Dalemain House (pics)
Penrith, Cumbria, home of the Hasell family for over three centuries; the house was started in 12th century as a pele-tower, the early Georgian front and the elegant rooms were completed about 1750; Yeomanry Museum with military relics and mementoes
Appleby Castle
Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, started as a Roman castle and the building on that site started again in the 12th century, the Keep was built in 1170 in the ownership of King Henry I. The Castle site was granted to Robert de Vipont in 1203, and the Castle passed to the Clifford family in 16th century for 400 years. Lady Anne Clifford, one of the greatest names in the history of Westmoreland, undertook in the 17th century extensive rebuilding photo of the Castle.
Berkeley Castle
Continuously occupied by the Berkeley family since the 12th century, Berkeley Castle consists of a Norman, sandstone Keep with three semi-cylindrical turrets, and an Inner Ward surrounded by low-lying, 14ft thick walls. At one time there was a moat and the traditional Outer Ward to provide a defence strategy to the Inner Ward. The huge, round Keep is over sixty feet high, and is one of the oldest parts of the surviving castle.
Robert Fitzharding was in occupation during the mid-12th century when he was given permission by Henry II to construct a castle made of stone, to replace the former timber construction. It was from the descendants of Robert Fitzharding, who liked to describe themselves as ‘of Berkeley’, that lead to the family name still used today.