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TimeRef.com
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  • People
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    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Richmond Castle
Castle
Castle
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Richmond Castle

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 County

North Yorkshire (11 castles) 

 Categories

Stone / Norman Square Keep

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location54.40148,-1.735021 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

North Yorkshire (11 castles) 

 Categories

Stone / Norman Square Keep

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
54.40148,-1.735021
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
ichmond Castle was begun in around 1071 when William the Conqueror held Christmas in north Yorkshire where he granted large amounts of land to Alan (Alain) Rufus from Brittany who was one of William's trusted lieutenants. Alan selected a site above the River Swale for a castle, a site which may have not been used as a defensive site before. It appears that the castle he built was of stone which was unusual for the time when castles were built of earth banks and wooden stockades. The inner bailey is shaped roughly like a triangle with its apex pointing north and facing towards the town. The southern base of the triangle has a steep slope stretching down to the river. Two towers occupy the south-east and south-west corners of the castle. At the apex there was a gatehouse, but this was later replaced by a massive keep in the time of Henry II. Near the south-east corner is Scolland's Hall; a more old-fashioned type of keep. According to legend King Arthur and his Knights sleep in a crypt deep beneath the keep. It is said that a Peter Thompson located the crypt and found King Arthur's Sword and Horn lying on a table. Peter lifted the Sword but became afraid and ran after replacing it. As he left he heard voices saying that if he had lifted the Sword and blown the horn marvellous good fortune would have been his.

Location

See Also

People

  • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
  • Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
  • Arthur (King)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

Related Episodes

Norman Conquest (click here)

Norman Conquest (click here)

Location Map (click to explore)

Timeline

1071

...

Richmond Castle construction

The construction of Richmond Castle began around this time by Alan Rufus, the cousin of the Duke of Brittany.

1174

...

William of Scotland held prisoner

King William of Scotland was held captive at Richmond Castle. ¹

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. T. Wise, The Wars of the Crusades

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
    • Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
    • Arthur (King)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Why build and live in castles
    • Castle development timeline
    • Keep and bailey castles
    • Castles of William the Conqueror
    • Motte and bailey castles
    • Shell-Keeps
    • Square keeps
    • Polygonal Keeps
    • Castles of Edward I
    • Parts of a castle
    • Location of lots of castles
    • Castle construction timeline

    Related Maps

    • Map of Castles
    3D/VR

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