Rockingham Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockingham Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Part of Northamptonshire | |
| Corby, England | |
The main gateway at Rockingham Castle
|
|
| Type | Enclosure castle |
| Height | 10 metres (33 ft) |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Saunders Watson family |
| Condition | Renovated |
| Site history | |
| Built | 11th Century |
| In use | Private |
| Materials | Limestone Sandstone |
| Events | English Civil War |
Rockingham Castle is an old royal castle and a special hunting lodge. It is located in Rockingham Forest, about two miles north of Corby, in Northamptonshire, England.
Contents
A Look Back at Rockingham Castle's History
Early Days: From Iron Age to the 14th Century
The spot where Rockingham Castle stands has been important for a very long time. People used this high ground in the Iron Age, during the Roman period, and also by the Saxons, Normans, and Tudors. Its high position gives great views of the Welland Valley, making it a strong place to defend.
After the Norman conquest of England, William the Conqueror ordered a wooden Motte and Bailey castle to be built here in the 11th century. A motte-and-bailey castle had a mound (motte) with a tower and a walled area (bailey). About 30 years later, William II replaced the wooden castle with a stronger stone one. He added a stone tower (called a shell keep) on the large mound and built a strong wall (a curtain wall) around the outer area. The castle then became a favorite royal getaway for kings and queens from the Norman and Plantagenet families. The nearby Rockingham Forest was perfect for hunting wild boar and deer.
In 1095, an important meeting was held at the castle. King William II and Anselm, the Archbishop of Canterbury, met to discuss church leaders. However, they could not agree on a solution.
In 1270, King Henry III made the castle even stronger. He added a special gatehouse with two D-shaped towers. But less than 100 years later, King Edward III was the last king to visit the castle while it was owned by the Crown.
Later Years: From the 15th Century to Today
_v1_page_380.jpg)
By the late 1400s, Rockingham Castle was starting to fall apart. Sir Edward Watson, who started the Watson family line, got to rent the castle from King Henry VIII. Later, parts of the old castle were replaced with a beautiful Tudor house and gardens. The former royal castle became a hunting lodge for rich families. Sir Edward Watson's grandson, Lewis Watson, eventually bought the castle and its lands from the Crown. He became a knight, then a baronet, and finally a baron.
In the 1640s, during the English Civil War, soldiers loyal to the King (called Royalists) were stationed at Rockingham. They fought several small battles against the Parliamentarian forces (called Roundheads). In 1643, a Parliamentarian general named Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford captured Rockingham, and Lewis Watson had to leave for a short time. In 1646, parts of the castle's remaining walls were destroyed to prevent them from being used again in battle. After the war, in the late 1600s and 1700s, Rockingham went back to being a family home.
Today, Rockingham Castle is still a private home for the Saunders-Watson family. It is led by James Saunders Watson, who is the son of Michael Saunders. The castle also hosts events and is rented out for special occasions.
What Rockingham Castle Looks Like
The castle has a very strong gatehouse, which was common for castles of its time. On each side of the gate, there are two large, round towers that stick out from the castle wall. These are called D-towers because of their shape. This gatehouse faces east, looking out towards the fields.
The castle is shaped like a rectangle. A path goes through the middle of the gatehouse. You enter this path through an archway, and it used to be protected by a heavy gate (a portcullis) and a wooden door. Another door is at the end of the path. Along the sides of the path are openings that lead to rectangular rooms. The gatehouse and its towers only have two floors. This design is similar to the stone gatehouses of early Norman castles. The rest of the castle is surrounded by stone walls. Inside these walls, there are many halls, living areas, and other buildings.
Where Rockingham Castle Is Located
The castle is right next to the town of Corby. Both Rockingham and Corby are part of North Northamptonshire, which is in the larger area of Northamptonshire.
Rockingham Castle looks over the villages of Rockingham and Caldecott. It also has great views of the Welland Valley. Even though it's privately owned, the castle is open to the public for special events and on certain days.
The famous writer Charles Dickens visited the castle. He was a friend of Richard and Lavinia Watson, who were ancestors of the family living there today. Many people believe that Rockingham Castle was the inspiration for "Chesney Wold" in Dickens' famous novel Bleak House, which was published in 1853.
The castle gets its name from the manor of Rockingham. The larger Rockingham Forest was also named after the castle during the time of William the Conqueror because the castle was so important as a royal retreat.
There is also a cricket pitch (a field for playing cricket) on the castle grounds. It is the home of the Old Eastonians Cricket Club.
Rockingham Castle on Screen
Rockingham Castle has been used as a main filming location for TV shows and movies!
It was a key setting for the BBC English Civil War period drama By the Sword Divided. In that TV series, the castle was called "Arnescote Castle" and was the home of the Royalist Lacey family. The castle also appeared in the movie Top Secret!, which starred Val Kilmer.
See Also
