Helmsley Castle |
| Hob Uid: 58805 | |
Location :
North Yorkshire
Ryedale
Helmsley
|
| Grid Ref : SE6106783679 |
| Summary : The ruins of Helmsley Castle, which comprise a formidable double ditch, hewn from solid rock on the west side, surrounding an oblong inner bailey; the castle evolved from the 12th to the late 16th century. The initial concentric rectangular ringwork is generally attributed to Walter l'Espec, founder of the nearby Rievaulx Abbey, who held the site from 1120 to 1153. The massive earthern rampart between the deep ditches was probably originally surmounted by a timber stockade. A stone castle was raised by Robert de Roos some time between 1186 and 1227. The curtain wall enclosing the inner bailey featured circular towers protecting 3 of the 4 corners, 2 semi-circular towers flanking the northern gatehouse plus a larger projecting D-shaped tower keep located on the eastern curtain. On the western side the curtain wall is sharply set back roughly half-way along its length and a square tower situated in the angle. A simple gate tower provided access on the southern side. A range of domestic buildings including a great hall were situated on the west side of the inner bailey. The entrances were strengthened in the mid 13th century with the addition of an outer gatehouse in front of the north gate and a large barbican beyond the south gate. During the 14th century the south barbican was strengthened, 2 upper floors were added to the keep and a new hall built in the south west corner. In the 1560s Edward Manners, 3rd Earl of Rutland, built a house in the shell of the west tower which survives largely unaltered. In November 1644 following a 3 month siege the castle surrended to the Parliamentary commander Sir Thomas Fairfax and its subsequent slighting was severe. Most of the curtain wall and towers survive only as footings although the courtyard front of the keep stands almost extant. |
More information : (Centred SE 6110 8365). Castle (NR). (Remains of)
(SE 6110 8368). Keep (NR)
(SE 6108 8362). Tower (NR). (1)
Detailed Guidebook. (2)
No change. As described in Department of the Environment Guidebook.
Published survey (1:2500) revised. (3)
I Castle
Under guardianship of Ministry of Works. Keep - curtain wall and tower 12th century with later period alterations and additions. Sixteenth century domestic buildings. Fine example of double moat. (4)
Helmsley castle Helmsley SE 611836. SCHEDULED.(5)
Castle. 12th century to late 16th century. Limestone and sandstone rubble. For description see DoE guide book. Scheduled ancient monument. (6)
The earliest phase of the castle was built circa 1120 as a rectangular ringwork by Walter Espec. It consisted of two massive earthwork banks topped by palisades which enclosed the inner bailey, the northern outer bailey is now under a car park though one bank can still be seen. The castle was rebuilt in stone sometime after 1186, the inner bank was levelled and replaced by a curtain wall with round corner towers. The gates and the walls were strengthened with new towers and the northern outer bailey was replaced by one to the south east. A hall was also built.
The main period of rebuilding was in the 14th century when the castle's defences and accommodation were completely remodelled. The south barbican was rebuilt and a new hall constructed. Various ancillary buildings such as a brewhouse, bakehouse and lodgings for retainers were also built. This was the form of the castle until 1560 when the domestic ranges were replaced by Edward Manners with a mansion house. Scheduled. (7)
Attributed to Robert de Roos, 1190-1227. It was beseiged during the Civil War and after its surrender in 1644, the defences were dismantled. (8-18)
The Helmsley Castle earthworks were mapped from good quality air photographs. They comprise a central mound - SE 6110 8363 (upon which is the stone structure of the castle), approximately 120m by 80m, surrounded by a double ditch and bank. The inner bank is approximately 20m thick and completely surrounds the central mound. The outer bank is of varying thickness, has a north-east entrance (SE6103 8374) and only covers the western and southern sides. At the eastern end is a large mound approximately 95m by 60m (SE 6119 8356). (Morph Nos. HH.31.4.1 - 31.4.5). This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database. (19)
Additional reference. (21)
Helmsley Castle is a fine example of the change which was taking place in castle-building at the beginning of the 13th century. The large D-shaped tower keep with its externally projecting cylindrical side provided defence against mine and sap through the avoidance of dead angles whilst retaining at least some of the convenience of a square tower. Ultimately, a compromise between defensive strength and domestic convenience at a time when round towers were replacing square ones. (22 & 23)
Excavations carried out 1957, 1985 and 1994. (24-26)
NMR aerial photographs (27)
Conservation Statement. (28)
Guide to the site. (29)
Brief overview of the site for visitors with an illustration. At the time of recording please note that this site charges admission. (30)
A professional article looking at issues around accessibility to monuments, which takes Helmsley Castle as a case study. (31) |