Shipbrook Castle facts for kids

Shipbrook Hill seen from near Shipbrook Bridge

The River Dane, looking downstream from Shipbrook Bridge

Shipbrook Castle was a Norman castle located near Davenham in Cheshire, England. It stood next to the River Dane. Today, the exact spot where the castle once stood is unknown. Davenham is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Devenham, which means "hamlet on the River Dane."

People believe the castle was on Castle Hill, between Shipbrook Bridge and Shipbrook Hill Farm. However, no parts of the castle can be seen there now. Castles like Shipbrook were built during the Welsh Wars, which were conflicts with Wales. Shipbrook Castle was taken down around 1850.

The Vernon Family and Shipbrook Castle

The old coat of arms for the Vernon family of Shipbrook

The Vernon family played a big part in the history of Shipbrook. William de Vernon came to England during the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was given land in Cheshire by Hugh d'Avranches, who was the first Earl of Chester.

William's son, Richard, became a baron and lived at Shipbrook. A baron was an important noble who held land directly from the king.

Later Generations of the Vernon Family

Warine Vernon was the older son of the 4th Baron. He did not have any sons to inherit his lands. So, his large estate was split between his daughters and his brother, Ralph. Ralph's son, also named Ralph (born in 1241), was known for living a very long time. People called him "The Old Liver" because of this.

His heir was Sir Richard. Sir Richard was the son of Ralph's second wife, Matilda Grosvenor. The title of Baron ended when Sir Richard's grandson, also named Sir Richard, was captured. This happened after the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. He was then executed for treason, which means he was punished for acting against the king.

Even though the barony ended, other parts of the Vernon family continued to grow. They became influential in other areas beyond Cheshire. This happened partly because they made smart marriages with other important families. You can learn more about them at Vernon family.

Earl of Shipbrook Title

Much later, in 1777, Francis Vernon, 1st Earl of Shipbrook was given a new title. He became the Earl of Shipbrook. This title was part of the Peerage of Ireland, which is a group of noble titles in Ireland. His full title was "Earl of Shipbrooke of Newry in the County of Down in the said Kingdom" (of Ireland).