Acton Burnell Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acton Burnell Castle |
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| Shropshire, England | |
Acton Burnell Castle in 2016
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 Acton Burnell Castle
Shown within Shropshire.
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| Coordinates | 52°36′46″N 2°41′23″W / 52.61286°N 2.68966°W |
| Type | Fortified manor house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | English Heritage |
| Condition | Ruined |
Acton Burnell Castle is a special old building from the 1200s, found near a village called Acton Burnell in Shropshire, England. It's not a typical castle with big walls, but more like a strong country home. People think that the first ever English Parliament, where regular people had a say, happened here in 1283. Today, you can mostly see the outside walls of the house and parts of an old barn. It's a very important historical site, protected as a Grade I listed building.
Contents
Building a Special Home
Who Built Acton Burnell Castle?
This unique manor house was built in 1284 by a man named Robert Burnell. He was the Bishop of Bath and Wells and a close friend and helper to King Edward I. The location was important back then because it was close to an old Roman road called Watling Street.
We don't know exactly how big the whole estate was. Many parts of the original buildings are gone or still hidden. But it must have been large enough to host King Edward I and all his people, including soldiers and advisors. Even though it's called a "castle," it was never a true military fortress.
What Did It Look Like?
King Edward I gave Robert Burnell special permission to make his home strong and fortified. This permission, called a "licence to crenellate," was only given to people the King trusted. The building was shaped like a rectangle with a tower at each corner. It had three floors and included a main hall, a private room called a "solar," bedrooms, offices, a chapel, and a kitchen. Robert Burnell also built the nearby Church of St Mary and helped develop the village around his home.
The First Parliament Meeting
What Happened in 1283?
Before the manor house was fully built, something very important happened at Acton Burnell in the autumn of 1283. King Edward I held a meeting of Parliament here. It's believed this meeting took place in the large barn next to the manor house, as it was the only building big enough for everyone.
This meeting was a huge moment in English history. It was the first time that "the Commons" – meaning regular people, not just nobles or church leaders – were fully included in making laws.
The Statute of Acton Burnell
The law that was passed at this meeting became known as the Statute of Acton Burnell. This law was created to protect people who lent money, especially traders. It showed how important merchants were becoming in those times.
Who Owned the Castle Later?
When Robert Burnell passed away in 1292, his estate was passed down through his family. Eventually, it came into the hands of the Lovels of Titchmarsh family through a marriage.
After a battle called the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487, the land was taken by King Henry VII. He then gave it to Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. By the mid-1600s, when the Smythe family owned it, most of the manor house had already been torn down.
Today, English Heritage looks after Acton Burnell Castle. Visitors can explore the remains of the old private home by following a path through a small wood.
Images for kids
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This is what's left of the building where the first Parliament meeting might have happened.
