Upsall Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upsall Castle |
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"Upsall Castle" entrance, 2007
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| Type | Masonry Castle |
| Location | Upsall, North Yorkshire |
| Area | 5,525 m2 |
| Built | 1327 |
| Owner | Gerald Turton |
Upsall Castle is an old castle ruin, a park, and a manor house located in Upsall, a village in North Yorkshire, England. This historic site has a long story, stretching back hundreds of years. Today, it's a fascinating place where you can see parts of a medieval castle and a more modern manor house.
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The Castle's Early History
Records suggest that there might have been a building here as early as 1130. The castle we see today, or at least its ruins, started to be built around 1327. A man named Geoffrey Scrope likely began building this strong, square-shaped castle. His son, Henry, continued the construction work.
Why the Castle is a Ruin
The castle was probably destroyed during the English Civil War. This was a big conflict in England during the 1600s. The last time the castle was mentioned in official records was in 1660, after the war.
What Remains of the Old Castle
Even though much of the castle is gone, you can still see parts of it. Surveys have shown that a section of the southeast tower, sometimes called the Kitchen Tower, is still standing. The foundations, which are the underground bases, of the south and west walls are also still there. The parts of the castle on the north and east sides are now buried underground.
You can even spot special marks made by the original builders, including the faded symbols of the Scrope family, who owned the castle for a long time. The castle ruins, an old gatehouse, and parts of the castle walls are all protected as "listed monuments." This means they are important historical sites that must be preserved.
From Castle to Manor House
After the castle was destroyed, a manor house was built in its place. A manor house is a large country house that was historically the main residence of a lord or wealthy family. This manor house was rebuilt in the 1800s. Then, in 1918, it was damaged by a fire and had to be rebuilt again.
Who Owned Upsall Castle?
The Scrope family owned Upsall Castle until 1520. After that, it passed through several different families. It went to Elizabeth, who was the daughter of Thomas Scrope, and then to her daughter Agnes. Later, it was owned by Christopher Wyvill, whose father was a Member of Parliament.
In 1577, the castle briefly became property of the Crown (the King or Queen of England). Then, the Constable family owned it for many years until 1768. After a brief ownership by William Chapman, the Turton family bought it. Today, Upsall Castle is part of the Upsall and Roxby estates, and the current owner is Gerald Turton.
Castle Legends and Stories
Castles often have interesting stories and legends, and Upsall Castle is no different!
The Constable Family's Curse
John Constable lived at the castle in 1610. He was a strong supporter of the King during the Civil War. Writers from the 1800s, William Grainge and John Gilbert Baker, wrote that John Constable supposedly put a curse on anyone who owned Upsall Castle and was not loyal to their king and country.
The Buried Gold
Another old story from the area tells of a man who was digging under a bush near Upsall Castle. He found a pot filled with gold! Later, a stranger told him that there was another pot of gold buried right underneath the first one. The man went back and dug again, finding the second pot of gold too!
