Monument Type(s):

• CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

Scheduled Monument and Grade I Listed Building: Ludlow Castle is one of the great border fortresses, and its substantial ruins (dating from the 11th to the 16th century) still dominate the town. The Castle was a major seat of power in the Marches for 600 years, initially as a military base and subsequently as the administrative capital of Wales and the Marches (a role which continued until the late 17th century).

Related records

Associated Finds

• FSA220 - AMPULLA (15th century - 1400 AD to 1499 AD)

Associated Events

• ESA1588 - 1988 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1589 - 1967 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1590 - 1987 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1591 - 1990 WB on emergency scaffolding of S curtain wall, following collapse at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA1592 - 1990 WB on works to collapsed SE curtain wall at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA1593 - 1991 Survey and analysis of the solar block at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA1594 - 1992 Excavations at Porter's Lodge, Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA1595 - 1993 WB on display panel foundations at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA1596 - 1993 Excavation to W of outer bailey gateway at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA4715 - 2000 WB on Floodlighting Scheme at Ludlow Castle by Marches Archaeology
• ESA4764 - 2001 DBA of Castle House, Ludlow Castle by Marches Archaeology
• ESA5600 - 1989-1990 Survey of crenellations on SE section of curtain wall at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA5601 - 1990 Excavations in association with remedial landscaping at Ludlow Castle by CHAU
• ESA5876 - 2004 WB on provision of gate into Castle House grounds, Ludlow Castle by Marches Archaeology
• ESA6116 - 2007 geophysical survey of Ludlow Castle by GSB
• ESA6315 - 2002 DBA at Castle House, Ludlow, by Ron Shoesmith
• ESA7269 - 2014 WB on installation of electricity cable and substation at Ludlow Castle by Headland Archaeology
• ESA24 - 1903-1907 Excavation at Ludlow Castle by W H St John Hope
• ESA8994 - 2019 GPR survey in outer bailey of Ludlow Castle by SUMO Geophysics Ltd

Description

Founded c 1090, when Keep, inner bailey and towers were built. Late C12 extension to form outer bailey with outer gate and towers. Later buildings within the outer bailey. Defended on N & W by steep slopes and on E & S by two ditches, one between the two baileys and one between the bailey and the town. Against the N wall of the inner bailey is a fine range of domestic buildings of the C13 and early C14. They include hall, great chamber, and a tower. The living rooms to the east of the Great chamber were rebuilt in the C16. In the C13 a special court for the keep was formed. The Keep was begun in 1090 but not finished until early C12. The Chapel of St Mary Magdalene is one of the few round churches in this country. It dates mainly from the early C12, and consisted originally of a round nave and a chancel with an eastern apse; the chancel has been destroyed, but the nave remains <1a>

The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle, an enclosure castle, begun in the late C11, and converted into a tower keep castle in the early C12. ->

-> MATERIALS: the castle is constructed of a variety of local stones; it appears that the greenish-grey flaggy calcerous siltstones that underlies the castle was used in its initial phase, with local sandstones being used thereafter.
PLAN: the castle consists of an elliptical INNER BAILEY, in the north-west corner of the site, representing the earliest area of development, with the OUTER BAILEY, created in the second half of the C12, to the south and east.
BUILDINGS:
The curtain wall of the inner bailey incorporates four mural towers and the former gatehouse, all thought to have been constructed by 1115. Three of the four towers are open at the back and would originally have contained wooden scaffolding supporting look-out and fighting platforms. The fourth tower, known as the POSTERN TOWER, on the western side of the enclosure, has small ground-floor postern doorways on its north and east sides. The former gatehouse, situated at the south-eastern part of the enclosure, is rectangular in plan and was originally three storeys in height. Remaining in the ground-floor of the building is part of a wall arcade, thought to be late-C11, with ornamented capitals. In the early C12 a fourth storey was added to provide more domestic accommodation, thus converting the gatehouse into a tower keep, known as the GREAT TOWER. In the later C12 the original gatehouse entrance passage was blocked (the location of the former arch remains visible on the south elevation) and an archway was cut through the adjacent part of the curtain wall to the north-east, reached by a stone bridge. This archway was partially infilled and a smaller arch constructed in the C14. Access to the upper floors of the tower is by a spiral stair to the east, reached by an ornamented doorcase, the Tudor arch having a trefoiled lintel flanked by cusped panelling and trefoiled lintel, which also gives access to rooms in the Judges’ Lodgings (see below). On the first floor is the hall, with a chamber and garderobe to the west. In the second half of the C15 the north wall of the Great Tower was rebuilt and internal floors added to create new rooms lit by enlarged windows. Adjoining the Great Tower, in the south-west section of the inner bailey, is the INMOST BAILEY, a walled enclosure constructed in the C12 and C13 to provide greater security and privacy to those living in the Great Tower. There is a well within this enclosure surrounded by a low stone wall.
Located in the north-eastern sector of the elliptical enclosure of the inner bailey are the remains of the CHAPEL OF ST MARY MAGDALENE. This was built in the first half of the C12, probably by Gilbert de Lacy, and was remodelled in the C16, probably in two phases. In the first phase, thought to have been undertaken circa 1502 for the installation of Arthur, Prince of Wales, a first floor was inserted in the circular nave, together with additional openings, including a first-floor doorway which gave access to a passage linking the chapel with the Great Chamber Block to the north. In the second phase, during the presidency of the Council in the Marches of Sir Henry Sidney (1560-86), the original presbytery and chancel were taken down and a new chancel, or chapel, built, stretching as far as the curtain wall. The crenellated circular nave, which measures 8.3m in diameter internally, survives to its full height as a roofless shell, and contains much original carving to the round-headed order arches of the door openings, with chevron and billet mouldings, and to the internal blind arcade with a variety of capitals and moulded arches.
Since the late C12, the castle site has been entered through the two-storeyed GATEHOUSE within the eastern part of the curtain wall of the outer bailey. The wall originally had two adjoining rectangular mural towers of which the one to the north of the gatehouse survives as a standing structure; this, together with the adjacent section of the curtain wall form part of the CASTLE HOUSE built in the C18 (listed separately at Grade I). Protruding from the curtain wall defining the western side of the outer bailey are the remains of a semi-circular tower known as MORTIMER'S TOWER, possibly built in the early C13; this originally consisted of a ground-floor entrance passage, with two floors above, and was used as the postern entrance to the outer bailey until the C15. In the south-west corner of the outer bailey are the remains of ST PETER’S CHAPEL, originally a free-standing rectangular structure, founded by Roger Mortimer to celebrate his escape from the Tower of London in 1324, following his rebellion against Edward II. The chapel served as the Court House and offices of the Council in the Marches, for which an adjacent building to the west was constructed. The south-east corner of the chapel is now attached to a wall which completes the enclosure of the outer bailey’s south-west corner. In the north wall of the chapel is a blocked two-light window, enlarged at the bottom when a floor was inserted for the court house; a second original window towards the eastern end now contains a first-floor blocked doorway.
At the end of the C13 or in the early C14 an extensive building programme was initiated, replacing existing structures within the inner bailey with a grand new range of domestic buildings, built along the inside of the north section of the Norman curtain wall. The construction of these new buildings indicates the changing role of Ludlow Castle from military stronghold to a more comfortable residence and a seat of political power, reflecting the more peaceful conditions in the region following the conquest of Wales by Edward I. The first buildings to be completed were the GREAT HALL and the adjoining SOLAR BLOCK (private apartments). The Great Hall, which was used for ceremonial and public occasions, consisted of a first floor over a large undercroft, reached through a moulded pointed arch in the south elevation. The Hall was lit on both south and north sides by three pointed-arched windows with sunk chamfers and ‘Y’ tracery formed of paired cusped trefoil-headed lights, under hoodmoulds; these originally had seats, now partially surviving. The central south window was converted to a fireplace, replacing the louver which formerly covered the open fire towards the east of the Hall, its position indicated by elaborate corbels. At the west end, a series of openings lead into the Solar Block, only one of these (that to the north) being of the primary phase. Within the Hall, at the western end, is a timber viewing platform, which is not of special interest.* The Solar Block is thought to have been begun as a two-storey building, and raised to three storeys shortly afterwards, at which time the adjacent NORTH-WEST TOWER was raised, with the new CLOSET TOWER being built in the angle between the two. Each of the three floors of the Solar Block extended into the North-West Tower, with each being linked to a room in the Closet Tower. All three floors of the Solar were heated, the ground floor having a fireplace which originally had a stone hood; the first-floor room has hooded fireplace, on nearly triangular-sectioned jambs; the room above has a plainer hooded fireplace. The windows include original openings with ‘Y’ tracery and trefoil-headed lights, similar to those in the Hall, and a ground-floor mullioned window probably dating from the late C16.
In the early C14 two additional buildings containing more private apartments were constructed by Richard Mortimer. The three-storeyed GREAT CHAMBER BLOCK was built in about 1320 next to the Great Hall to balance the Solar Block to the west of the Hall. The connecting four-storeyed GARDEROBE TOWER, which projects from the curtain wall of the inner bailey, was also probably built about the same time. As in the Hall and Solar blocks, the floors are now lost but features in the walls remain to indicate layout and function. The main entrance to this block is through a recessed doorway in the south-west corner, with a pointed two-light window above. The undercroft was heated, and is lit by two two-light windows with stone side seats in the south wall. The tracery of the eastern of these windows has been lost. The first-floor main room, or ‘Great Chamber’, contains a grand hooded fireplace carried on a fourfold series of corbels; to either side of the fireplace are large head corbels with leafwork. The Tudor transomed and mullioned window probably replaced an earlier window. The upper room also has a large hooded fireplace, and was lit principally by a large trefoil-headed window with head-stopped hoodmould in the southern wall.
Following the establishment of the headquarters for the Council in the Marches at Ludlow, new buildings were constructed and many existing buildings changed their use. Within the inner bailey the main room in the Great Chamber Block became the council chamber, with additional chambers above. A new adjoining residential block, now called the TUDOR LODGINGS, was built to the east, replacing earlier structures. The block consisted of two sets of lodgings both being of three storeys with attic rooms above. The south wall of this block cuts across openings in the east wall of the Great Chamber Block. Between the lodgings, projecting from the south wall, is a circular stair tower, entered through an ogee-headed arch. The windows in the south elevation are mullioned; several have been blocked. In the north wall of the western lodging, at ground-floor level, is an opening with double trefoil head, having a divided light above. Otherwise, the features of this range are plain, with pointed door openings, and straight lintels to fireplaces.
As the power of the Council grew, further domestic accommodation was needed. To the east of the entrance within the inner bailey, a three-storeyed range, known as the JUDGES LODGINGS, was completed in 1581. On the south side, this building extends the curtain wall upwards, with two gables, and piercing for fenestration, the earlier arched entrance to the inner bailey becoming visually part of the newer building, with rooms above; stone arms set immediately over the archway dated 1581 commemorate the Presidency of the Council of Sir Henry Sidney. Rooms set above the arch leave a gate-passage leading through a second archway to the inner bailey, and giving access to both the Great Keep and the Judges’ Lodgings. The rooms above the gate-passage appear to have been accessed by the embellished Tudor-arched doorway in the Keep at the north end of the passage. The north side of the Judges’ Lodgings, within the inner bailey, has a polygonal stair turret (which originally had a pyramidal roof), with mullioned and transomed eight-light windows set regularly to either side. Within, some indication is given of the arrangement and appearance of the rooms by the survival of numerous fireplaces of red sandstone backed by brick set in herringbone pattern. The adjoining building to the east, originally two-storeyed, is thought to date from the C17.
Other developments during the C16 included changes to the south-west corner tower, enclosed within the inmost bailey, with the installation of a large oven at ground-floor level, with residential rooms above; the tower became known as the OVEN TOWER. In 1522 the PORTER'S LODGE was built in the outer bailey to the south of the gatehouse. The shell of this building now contains the castle shop; the modern structure and fittings of the shop are not of special interest.* Also dating from 1522 is the PRISON, adjoining to the south, which retains square-headed windows with moulded frames and hoodmoulds, and the stable block, completed in 1597, with mullioned windows. Like the porter's lodge, these buildings remain as incomplete shells. ->

-> Formerly the seat of the Lords President of the Marches. Coronation of Edward V here in 1483. Prince Arthur died here in 1502. Moulded fireplaces in the domestic block. Decorated and Elizabethan fenestration in Great Hall and State Apartments. Chapel has richly carved chevron arches and wall arcades with enriched capitals. <3>

Extensive archaeological excavations were undertaken by William St John Hope between 1903 and 1907, together with a detailed drawn and photographic survey of the castle. Refer to report. <8a>

The British Museum Catalogue includes a lead ampulla, English C15, found before 1891. <12>

Lengthy description by Pevsner. <13>

SMCs and Consultation Responses, 1985-1993. <39><40><41><42><43><44><45><46>

In late 1989 CHAU were commissioned to survey the crenellations of the SE sections of the curtain wall, prior to consolidation work. The first phase of the survey was completed by December 1989. In February 1990 15m of the wall collapsed. A watching brief was carried out on the trenches that had to be dug for the urgent shoring that was then necessary. A further watching brief took place on the removal of debris etc, so that a realistic rebuilding could take place <51><52><54>

In Spring 1990 CHAU carried out excavations for the regrading of the points of access to the castle for disabled visitors. <53>

In May 1991 the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies of the University of York made photogrammetric plots of the so called Solar Block as part of the phase III programme of repairs and renovation of the castle. CHAU was commissioned to add details to these plots, and to provide a structural and architectural assessment of this part of the castle and accurate moulding profiles of the more significant features. <55><56>

In September 1992 CHAU carried out an evaluation excavation within the Porter's Lodge. <57>

In May 1993 CHAU carried out a watching brief during the erection of 7 display panels in the grounds of the castle. <58>

In Summer 1993 CHAU carried out excavations for a service trench as a follow up to their evaluation of the Porter's Lodge area of the castle. <59>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, as one of less than 10 Enclosure Castles. <61>

The castle was sketched from the west in 1864; the inner bailey and its various buildings were also shown as a bird's eye view (p52-53). Stukeley's plan of the castle (c1721) is the earliest plan of the castle and identifies various buildings, as well as showing all the buildings at that period. It shows that the northern part of the outer bailey was a bowling green and an enclosed orchard (p60). A series of detailed elevations of the buildings in the inner bailey were carried out in 1765 and show the condition of buildings at that date (p70). <62>

CMHTS Comment: Identiifed as component of Medieval town. Contains following remains separately identified: solar block [PRN SA 06114]; excavated prison [PRN SA 06113]; chapel of St Mary Magdalene [PRN SA 06168]; St Peter's Chapel [PRN SA 06169]; recorded section of outer bailey curtain wall [PRN SA 06115]; small-scale excavations in inner bailey [PRN SA 06116]; great tower [PRN SA 06175] and kitchen [PRN SA 06174]; and chapel [PRN SA 06168] and other ruins [PRN SA 06177]. The component is defined to include ditch external to outer bailey, and scarping of hillside to north and west of castle. <63>

CMHTS Report. <64>

It was noted in 1977 that the original entrance had been blocked. <68>

In February 2000, a scheme of works to improve the floodlighting of the inner bailey involved the digging of a trench through an area not previously disturbed. This work was monitored archaeologically and evidence of a ramp leading to the site of the drawbridge was discovered. Subsequently the level of the outer bailey was raised disguising the ramp. Report also includes a history of Ludlow Castle. <69>

The castle was founded in the late 11th century, as a major fortress on the frontier with Wales, and was used as the base for campaigns in Wales and the Marches in the 12th and 13th centuries. The town grew up in its shadow. After the conquest of Wales the strategic importance of the castle declined. However, it was the base of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, during the Wars of the Roses and in 1473 the Council of the March of Wales was based at the castle. This latter became a provincial court in 1501 and a seat of regional government for Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire in 1534. <70>

Desk Based Assessment carried out in 2001 on Castle House due to proposed alterations to Ludlow Castle. The building stands to the north of the gateway, into the outer court of Ludlow castle. Castle house was built in a series of campaigns probably starting with the construction of a barracks in the 16th century, but not attaining its final form until around the turn of the 20th century. <71>

A 2004 WB on the insertion of a gate into Castle House grounds found no archaeological features <72>

In 2007 a geophysical survey was carried out of large areas of the castle. Traces of known features such as the old pantry and St Mary Magdalene Chapel were recorded, but the results also suggested additional structures not previously noted both within the inner bailey and beyond it in the outer bailey. <73>

On 29/09/2014 the Scehduling was revised, so that a Description and Resason for Designation existed for the first time. The Scheduled Area was extended to the East and South. <76>

A watching brief was carried out in 2014 on the excavation for an electricity cable and substation to the E of Ludlow Castle, within the outer defences of the castle (see PRN 06179). No medieval features were recorded, this area having beeen extensively landscaped in the 18th-20th centuries. <77>

Photographed during aerial photographic survey between 2007 and 2009. <78>-<82>

A desk-based assessment was undertaken in 2002 of Castle House (PRN 10949), now in use of flats, a complex building that incorporates various structures including part of the Castle's curtain wall. Contains a brief historic background of the castle from the 12th century to the 16th century when it became the headquarters of the Council in the Marches (see PRN 06178). <83>

Photographed during aerial survey in 2014. <84>

Guidebook from 1977. <85>

A sumptuous suite had come into being by the early C14, comprising a first-floor great hall, with large two-light windows to the outside, set between two three-storeyed blocks of chambers placed one above the other, and with the E block furnished with its own garderobe tower. The effect was one of calculated magnificence, and the building was the most imposing residence in the county, indeed throughout the Marches, and unsurpassed at the time anywhere: a fitting monument to the Mortimers, then at the height of their power and pretensions. Further discussion of the sequence of building from late C13. Plan. <86>

A GPR survey was undertaken within the outer bailey of Ludlow Castle. The GPR survey identified four significant categories of radar anomalies associated with possible structures and wall remains, buried surfaces and potential services. Many of the anomalies are interpreted as being of archaeological interest. Nineteen locations have been targeted for possible further investigations. <87>

Shropshire Archives hold 3 watercolours of Ludlow Castle (References 6001/372/1/131 - view of inner bailey; 6001/372/1/132 - view of chapel and inner bailey; 6001/372/2/54 - view from NW), by Reverend Edward Williams, dated to 1789. Small-scale thumbnails can be found via their online catalogue: https://www.shropshirearchives.org.uk/collections/getrecord/CCA_X6001_19_372A_131; https://www.shropshirearchives.org.uk/collections/getrecord/CCA_X6001_19_372A_132; https://www.shropshirearchives.org.uk/collections/getrecord/CCA_X6001_19_372B_54 <88>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.