Spofforth Castle, North Yorkshire

Located in the village of Spofforth, North Yorkshire, the ruins of Spofforth Castle are symbolic of the fate of many other English Castles. Spofforth Castle was once in the hands of the Percy family; and its history mirrors the fortunes of that old Norman family.

The site upon which Spofforth Castle stands probably once played host to a Norman motte and bailey castle constructed in the late eleventh century by William de Percy, a favoured member of the Norman court. The need for such a defensive site reduced over the years, and by the thirteenth century the site was home to a stone halled manor house. It is rumoured that during the Baron’s uprising against King John a draft of the Magna Carta was drawn up at Spofforth Castle, although there is no real supporting evidence for such an event.

Spofforth Castle - Mtaylor848 - CC-BY-SA-3.0

In 1308/9 Henry Percy applied to Edward II for permission to crenellate Spofforth Manor, turning the building once again into Spofforth Castle. Again at the time the stock of the Percy family was high with king’s court. Even at this point, the importance of Spofforth Castle was on the wane, and the Percy family were putting their money into Alnwick, Wressle and later Warkworth Castles. That being said, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries additions and improvements were made to the building, and it is also said to have been the birthplace of Harry Hotspur, one of the most famous of the Percys.

Spofforth Castle - John Sutton - CC-BY-SA-2.0

The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries were a period of fluctuation in the fortunes of the Percy family, and twice they would have their possessions seized by the throne, first by Henry IV and then the Earl of Warwick, after siding with the losing cause in two rebellions. By the sixteenth century, by which time the Percys were once again in favour, Spofforth Castle was little more than a large out building for the family, and by 1604 it was all but abandoned.

Today it is only the west range of Spofforth Castle that can be seen, comprising of two storeys connected by a stair turret. The hall, that is built against the bedrock, and chamber block can also be viewed. This dereliction is not solely due to the passage of time, as the defensive capabilities of Spofforth Castle were destroyed during and after the English Civil War.

Spofforth Castle - Mtaylor848 - CC-BY-SA-3.0

Currently Spofforth Castle is in the hands of English Heritage, with the Grade II listed building being given to the state in 1924 by the 3rd Baron of Leconfield. The castle is now free to visit and is open daily.

Copyright - First Published 29th December 2011