Weoley Castle (house) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weoley Castle |
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| Birmingham, England | |
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| Type | Fortified manor house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Birmingham City Council |
| Open to the public |
Partially |
| Official name | Weoley Castle |
| Reference no. | 1005905 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name | Remains of Weoley Castle |
| Designated | 25 April 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1075769 |
| Condition | Ruined |
Weoley Castle is what remains of a strong house, like a mini-castle, in Birmingham, England. It is in the Weoley Castle area, which is mostly homes today. This old site is owned by Birmingham City Council. It is looked after by the Birmingham Museums Trust as a community museum.
Weoley Castle is a special place. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it is an important historic building. It is also a Scheduled monument. This means it is protected by the government because of its national importance. Weoley Castle was once on a list called the "Heritage at Risk Register." This list names important places that need repairs. After some work was done, it was taken off the list in 2009.
Contents
The Story of Weoley Castle
Early Days: A Norman Beginning
Experts who study old sites, called archaeologists, have found clues about Weoley Castle. These clues show that the first buildings were put up by the Normans. This was a long time ago, around the 11th to 13th centuries. The site was protected by a moat, which is a deep ditch filled with water. There was also a raised bank of earth. On top of this bank, there was a strong fence made of timber. This fence was called a palisade.
Building a Stronger Home
In 1264, a man named Roger de Somery got special permission. This permission allowed him to add battlements to Weoley Castle. Battlements are the parts of a castle wall with gaps for shooting. This made the house much stronger and more like a castle. A survey from 1422 shows us what the building looked like back then.
Archaeologists have found parts of wooden buildings from the early 1200s. These buildings were likely built around the same time Roger de Somery got his permission. They show that people used wooden boards to cover the walls. These boards were placed both flat and upright.
The Castle Becomes a Ruin
By the 1600s, Weoley Castle was already known as a "ruyned castell," meaning a ruined castle. It was no longer used as a home. Around the same time, a farmhouse was built nearby. Today, only a brick wall and a few apple trees are left from that farm.
In the 1700s, the Dudley Canal was dug near the castle. The dirt from digging the canal was dumped into the moat. Some of the stone from the ruined castle was even used to build bridges over the canal.
Later Owners
At some point in the 1800s, the ruins of Weoley Castle were owned by Joseph Frederick Ledsam. He was a local businessman. He was also an important person on the London and North Western Railway.
Images for kids
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Weoley Castle today.
