Bothal Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bothal Castle |
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| Northumberland, England, UK | |
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 Bothal Castle
Location in Northumberland
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| Coordinates | 55°10′23″N 1°37′30″W / 55.173°N 1.625°W |
Bothal Castle is a historic castle and a grand private home in the village of Bothal, near the River Wansbeck. It's located between Morpeth and Ashington in Northumberland, England. The name "Bothal" comes from an old English word meaning "dwelling" or "hall." This special place was fortified even before the Normans arrived in England. It has been repaired and changed many times over the centuries. Today, it is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building, which means it's very important historically.
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Bothal Castle: A Historic Home
Bothal Castle has a long and interesting past, stretching back over 900 years. It started as a simple dwelling and grew into the impressive castle we see today. The castle has seen many important families live within its walls.
Early History and Fortifications
In 1095, King William Rufus gave Bothal to a man named Guy I de Balliol. His daughter, Alice, later married William Bertram. It was probably William Bertram who built an early hall house here.
Many years later, in 1343, Sir Robert Bertram received special permission. He was allowed to turn his manor house into a strong castle. This included building a very impressive gatehouse. Parts of this gate tower and pieces of the original castle walls from the Middle Ages are still standing today.
How the Castle Changed Hands
The castle's ownership changed through important marriages. Sir Robert Bertram's daughter, Hellen, married Sir Robert Ogle. This marriage meant that the Bothal estate passed to the Ogle family in the 14th century.
In 1583, Cuthbert Ogle, who was the 7th Baron Ogle, arranged a marriage for his daughter, Jane. She was to marry Edward Talbot. He was the son of a powerful nobleman, George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. Agents working for Shrewsbury visited Bothal Castle. They described it as "a castle battled," meaning it had battlements, and compared it to another grand house called Nether Haddon.
In 1591, the castle's ownership changed again. Catherine, Countess of Ogle, married Sir Charles Cavendish. This marriage brought the estate into the Cavendish-Bentinck family, who were later known as the Dukes of Portland.
A Royal Visitor
Bothal Castle even hosted a king! On May 5, 1617, King James visited the castle. He stayed for two nights while traveling to Scotland. Imagine a king sleeping in the very rooms of Bothal Castle!
Bothal Castle Today
The castle underwent some repairs and improvements in the 19th century. Today, Bothal Castle is still a private residence. It is home to members of the Cavendish-Bentinck family. The castle also houses the office for the nearby Welbeck Estate.
Bothal Castle is in excellent condition, but because it is a private home, it is not open to the public for visits.
