Apley Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apley Castle |
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| Hadley, Shropshire, England | |
Converted stableblock, containing remains of original castle
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 Apley Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°42′55″N 2°30′44″W / 52.7152°N 2.5122°W |
| Type | Fortified manor house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Condition | Inhabited |
Apley Castle was a strong, fortified house from the Middle Ages in the village of Hadley, Shropshire, England. It was built to protect its owners and their land.
Contents
Apley Castle: A Historic Fortified Home
Apley Castle was a special kind of house called a fortified manor house. It was located in Hadley, near Wellington. A "fortified" house means it was built with defenses, like strong walls, to protect against attacks. It also had a moat, which was a deep, wide ditch filled with water around the castle, adding another layer of protection.
Who Owned Apley Castle?
By the early 1300s, the Charlton family owned the manor of Apley. They were very important landowners in the area. In 1327, Sir Alan Charlton received a special permission. This was called a "licence to crenellate." It meant he was allowed to add battlements (the notched tops of walls used for defense) and other defenses to his home.
Building the First Castle
Soon after getting permission, building work began. The first Apley Castle was a square building. It was built around a central courtyard. Later, in the late 1500s and early 1600s, the Charlton family made the castle much bigger. They turned it into a grand Elizabethan mansion. They used strong, grey stone called ashlar for the new parts.
Apley Castle During the English Civil War
In 1642, the castle became the property of Thomas Hanmer through marriage. This was the same year the English Civil War began. This war was a big conflict in England. It was fought between supporters of King Charles I (called Royalists) and supporters of Parliament (called Parliamentarians or Roundheads).
Thomas Hanmer was a Royalist. He made Apley Castle even stronger. It became an important place for the King's side. It was close to Shrewsbury, which was a key town. During the war, Parliament's forces attacked the castle. They caused a lot of damage, costing about £1,500. They even took the lead from the roof to use at Shrewsbury Castle.
What Happened to Apley Castle Later?
After the war, a second grand house was built nearby. It was also called Apley Castle. This new house was built between 1791 and 1794 for the Charlton family. The original castle, which had been repaired, was then used as the stable block for the new mansion.
The second Apley Castle was taken down in 1955. The old stable building, which was the original castle, started to fall apart. But in 1996, it was fixed up. The medieval parts of the building were saved. Today, the old castle is a private house. It is also a Grade 2* listed building, meaning it's a very important historical structure.
