Millom Castle facts for kids
Millom Castle is a very old castle located in Millom, a town in Cumbria, England. It is considered a very important historical site. This means it's protected by law because of its special history and architecture. It is known as a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument.
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The Castle's Story
The land where Millom Castle stands was first given to a person named Godard de Boyvill around 1134. He owned the area known as the Manor of Millom. Later, around 1240, the ownership of this manor passed to the Hudleston family. This happened when de Boyvill's granddaughter married into the Hudleston family.
Building the Castle Walls
In 1335, a man named John Hudleston received special permission. This permission allowed him to add strong walls and towers to the building. This process is called crenellating. The large main tower you see today was built much later. It was likely constructed in the 16th or perhaps the 17th century.
Battles and Changes
The Hudleston family played an active part in many important conflicts in England. During the Wars of the Roses, which were battles between two powerful families, Sir John Hudleston supported the Yorkist side. He was present at the Battle of Blore Heath in 1459. He also fought at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. In 1460, forces supporting the Lancastrian side captured Millom Castle.
After King Henry VII came to power, Sir John and his son Henry were pardoned. This meant they were forgiven and allowed to keep their estate.
Later, in the 1600s, England faced another big conflict called the English Civil War. Sir William Hudleston was a leading Royalist colonel. This meant he supported the King. However, his forces were defeated by the Parliamentarian army. Millom Castle was damaged by cannon fire in 1644 during these battles. The Hudleston family then faced heavy fines from the winning Parliament. These fines caused the family to fall into debt.
By 1739, the castle walls were in poor condition. In 1748, Elizabeth Huddleston sold the castle. It was bought by Sir James Lowther, 4th Baronet. Some parts, like the gatepiers, were added in the 17th or 18th century. Today, the large main tower of the castle is used as a farmhouse.
What the Castle Looks Like
Millom Castle is built from stone. It has special cut stones, called ashlar dressings, and slate roofs. On the east side, you can see a gatehouse and steps from the 17th century. The west side has a pointed entrance. Over time, various barns and small buildings have been added to the north and west sides of the castle. You can still see parts of a moat (a ditch filled with water) on the north and west sides.
