Ford Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ford Castle |
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| Northumberland, England, UK | |
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 Ford Castle
Location in Northumberland
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| Coordinates | 55°37′52″N 2°05′28″W / 55.631°N 2.091°W |
Ford Castle is an amazing old castle in Northumberland, England. It's a very important historical building, known as a Grade I listed building. You can find it right by the River Till in a village called Ford.
Contents
History of Ford Castle
Early Days and First Builders
Ford Castle was first built around the year 1278. Its first owner was a knight named Sir William Heron. In 1338, he got special permission to add battlements to the castle. This meant he could build walls with gaps for archers to shoot through.
Captured and Rebuilt
Sadly, the castle was captured by the Scots in 1385. They took it apart, making it unusable. But by the early 1500s, Ford Castle was rebuilt and made strong again. In 1513, just before the famous Battle of Flodden, James IV of Scotland captured the castle.
New Families Take Over
Over the years, the castle changed hands many times. In 1549, it passed from the Heron family to the Carr family through marriage. Later, in the 1660s, it went to Sir Francis Blake through another marriage.
Changes by Sir Francis Blake
Sir Francis Blake built a large new house inside the castle walls. He built it in the Tudor style around 1694. After he passed away in 1717, the Ford estate went to his daughter's husband. Then, in 1723, it went to her son, Francis Blake Delaval.
Gothic Style Makeover
In 1761, John Delaval, 1st Baron Delaval decided to rebuild the main hall. He worked with an architect named George Raffield. They gave the hall a new look in the Gothic style.
Later Owners and Restoration
After John Delaval died, the castle went to his granddaughter, Susannah. She was married to the Marquess of Waterford. In 1862, Louisa, the Dowager Marchioness of Waterford, worked to restore and remodel the hall. She made many important changes to the castle.
Ford Castle Today
In 1907, a rich coal-mining businessman named James Joicey, 1st Baron Joicey bought the castle. His family still owns it today. However, since 1956, Ford Castle has been leased to Northumberland County Council. It is now used as a special residential center for young people.
