Muncaster Castle

-1066 (?) – 12th Century (Castle and Lord lineage origins)

The Pennington Family

The muddled and intriguing origins of Muncaster Castle trace back to Gamel de Pennington, believed to be the ancestor of all the Penningtons today. The Doomsday Book records four landholding men named Gamel, one of whom moved to the parish of Pennington after his marriage and took on the surname.

While the name of Gamel’s wife is unknown, historians suggest he may have married a daughter from the House of Percy, as the family coats of arms were strikingly similar. (Gamel and his heirs even appear as “Pennington (de Percy)” in several family trees.)  

The Muncaster (Moelcastre) Estate

Pennington is also recorded in the Doomsday Book as part of the Manor of Hougun held by Earl Tostig, perhaps established already for centuries. 

In 1127, Pennington was part of the grant to Furness given to the monks for the abbey's foundation. It was later found to be held by the abbey by knight’s service and rent, and the family had taken on the manor's name. 

Gamel soon after either obtained or owned property near Eskmeal, an ancient Roman camp near present-day Ravenglass and moved his family.  

The original property name was Moelcastre, Mulcaster, or Mulcastre, derived from the Celtic moel/mule/meal, meaning “hill,” and caster/castre, meaning “fortification.”  

There is no known manor house at this time, and it is believed that the family had a manor house in Beckside, as Gamel’s name appears on the ancient tympanum of Beckside. 

Gamel is also noted to have appropriated the church of Mulcaster to Conishead Priory circa 1160. 

The Pennington-Muncaster Family Relation

Gamel and his wife had at least two sons, Benedict and Meldred (some sources listing a third, Ranulph). Benedict became heir to Mulcaster as the eldest male after Gamel’s passing.

More importantly, the descendants of Sir Benedict de Penington, Knight, are also in question. Some sources say he and his wife, Agnes, had two sons, Alan and Alexander. Yet, some sources mention a third son, David. 

The legend of the Mulcaster surname founding is said to have been established by said David, who became known as David de Mulcaster and passed the name on to his children. David also owned significant property in the area by the early 1200s, lending support to his probable relation to Benedict.

(Notably, the records of both the Mulcaster and Muncaster genealogy lines available today have a member of the Pennington family listed among them, and a DNA link was said to be found connecting these two families in 2015.)

Regardless of the surname origin and the connection between the Mulcasters and the Penningtons, they had a close and antagonistic relationship. Both families served as Knights, and commerce and friction between the two are further observed throughout historical records for generations. In addition, several of the Lords, Mulcaster and Pennington, served as sheriffs for various periods. 

-1202

Sir Alan de Penington, I, Knight, son of Benedict, granted two oxgangs (around 30 acres) of land in Pennington to Hugh, son of Edward.

-1208 (Earliest known evidence of Pennington ownership)

The Pennington family’s earliest recorded evidence of the Castle belonging to them notes that “Alan de Penintone” (Benedict’s grandson) was granted the lands in 1208.

Notably, this was the same year his father, Sir Alan de Penington, I, Knight, died, to which it is noted “he received by fine at Carlisle the tenement of Mulcaster from Richard de Lucy (Lord Paramount to Muncaster township) for 1/12 knight's fee and his foreign service.” 

This note correlates with other records stating that Richard de Lucy received a charter from John, King of England, for a market and fair at Ravenglass (contained in Mulcaster township at the time), and later that year confirmed Alan Pennington as mense lord and his tenants “all the land and fee of Ravenglass, to hold of him and his heirs, with estovers to make fish garths in the river Esk.” 

-1242 (Pennington-Mulcaster estate deal)

Alan died without any male heirs. His only daughter, Alice, married the Baron of Kinderton, taking the surname de Venables, and moved to Cheshire. As such, Mulcaster should have passed to his brother, Thomas de Pennington, which many records suggest was the case.

However, one William Pennington (noted as the grandson of Benedict) is famously said to have inherited the lands and shifted his family seat to Muncaster at this time. He is also credited with building the original hall.  

Yet, while early Pennington genealogy records are spotty, no “William” is found in Gamel’s direct descendants and known heirs of Muncaster until 1275. Said William is listed as the grandson of 

Thomas, brother to Alan de Pennington of Pennington Hall, making him the great-great-grandson of Benedict. 

There is an earlier William who was the grandson of Alan and great-grandson of Benedict, but he was the elder son of Alice who became the Baron of Kinderton.

The misalignment of dates has led some to believe that William Pennington said to inherit Mulcaster at this time, was actually a direct descendant of David de Mulcaster.  

Potentially supportive evidence of this is noted in publications from the Cumberland and Westmore Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, relaying that 14,000 acres were added to the mountain territory of Furness Abbey, which included upper Eskdale. Part of this became Pennington property. The estate resulted from a deal with David de Mulcaster (likely the second David, grandson of the first), who had received property from the abbey. 

-1248-1269

Thomas de Pennington passed in 1248, passing the castle to his son and heir, Alan II. Agnes, the widow of Thomas, reached an agreement with the Abbot of Furness regarding the wardship of the heir (Alan). Subsequently, Agnes married Thomas de Graystock.

In 1250, there was a dispute over the custody of Alan, contested between Thomas de Multon and John de Lungvilers, along with Agnes, John's daughter.

Alan was determined to be the legal heir and had obtained possession of the land by 1269, as he is mentioned as a defendant in a local legal matter.

-1278 (Pennington/Mulcaster property and marriage agreements)

Sir Alan de Pennington (presumably Alan II, son of Thomas) initiated a legal plea claiming that he had an agreement with Sir Robert de Mulcaster.

According to the agreement, Sir Robert was supposed to deliver the manor at Giffen to Sir Alan. The manor, along with a charter from Alan's ancestor Benedict de Pennington, would establish Alan's ownership of the property.

In return, Alan would enfeoff (grant land as a feudal tenure) one of Robert's sons with ten marks of land in Giffen, worth around 65 pounds. Additionally, Alan would grant all his lands in Copeland to Robert for his lifetime.

As part of the agreement, it was stipulated that Alan's son and heir, William, would marry Alice, the daughter of Benedict Mulcaster and presumably Robert's granddaughter.

Markedly, the fact that the Giffen charter and manor would be transferred from the Penningtons to the Mulcasters, plus mentions of conflicts and difficulties between Sir Alan and Sir Robert in other court documents, illustrates a complex dynamic between the two families.

-1292

Disputes arose between Alan de Pennington and the Abbot of Furness and with the Prior of Conishead.

The Abbot of Furness, in his capacity as the head of the wapentake (administrative division) of Furness, made distraint (seizure of property) at Pennington for the puture (payment) of a servant and 'witness man.' Alan considered this action illegal, but he was non-suited, meaning he did not succeed in his legal argument.

-1301

William de Pennington, the son of Alan, had inherited the castle by this time, as he was granted free warren for his lands in Pennington.

-1314 - 1322 (Pele Tower constructed)

While William de Pennington was away serving the King in Scotland, the Abbot of Furness entered William’s land. The Abbot seized a number of his cattle at the Moor in Pennington as distraint (seizure of property), claiming that the required reaping in autumn and ploughing throughout the year had not been done. 

The following year, William de Pennington lodged a complaint about this, and by 1317, a dispute arose between William de Pennington and the Abbot of Furness regarding the services owed from the manor.

In 1318, an agreement was made for the marriage of William's daughter, Maud, to John, the son of Richard de Hudleston. Additionally, William and the Abbot reached an agreement regarding the reaping and ploughing dispute. However, a disagreement with the tenants about an enclosure arose.

Likely following the Siege of Carlisle (1315), due to Scottish raids into Cumbria led by Robert Bruce in 1316 and 1322, William de Pennington built the four-storey Pele Tower around this time meant for refuge in times of invasion. He used the stone remains of the Roman fortification on the site. 

Notably, at this time, a coin from the era of Emperor Theodosius (379 - 395 AD) was found, as well as a Victor ring, which are prized possessions of the Penningtons remaining at Muncaster Castle still today.

-1323 - 1328

William de Pennington passed away, leaving his son John as a minor.

Five years later, the dispute over the ploughing and reaping was officially settled. John, the son of William de Pennington, acknowledged that he held the manor from the Abbot of Furness and had certain obligations of service and rent. The Abbot had previously claimed services from the lord of the manor, which resulted in the seizure of John's horses. John brought a suit to challenge the seizure, likely to have the terms of his tenure recorded in court.

1334 (Mulcaster custodians appointed)

John de Pennington died, leaving behind his son William, who was underage at the time. Oliver de Wells and the Abbot of Furness became custodians of different parts of the Lancashire lands belonging to John's heir. Joan, the widow of John de Pennington, was also asserting her right to dower.

-1340 - 1380 (??)

The records of Mulcaster Castle and the Penningtons are once again spotty, with a handful of notable recordings at this time, once again leaving the family genealogy in question. 

In 1346, it was discovered that the Abbot had arranged a marriage between William and the daughter and heir of William de Threlkeld. However, William later married the daughter of William de Legh without the Abbot's consent, as indicated by William's seal being appended.

One William, son of Roger de Pennington, is said to have died in 1365, and the Abbot and other executors of his will were involved in a legal dispute at that time. Alan was the son and heir of another William, who appointed Thomas de Bardsey and others as trustees.

Another William also died in 1376, leaving behind underaged heirs. The Abbot of Furness sought wardship (legal guardianship) against Christopher de Broughton.

While some historians think another generation is noted here, others suggest one of the Williams was from the Mulcaster side of descendants, and perhaps the manor had exchanged hands. 

-1397 - 1399

The manors of Pennington and Muncaster were granted to Elizabeth, the widow of William de Pennington, for her lifetime. After her death, they were to pass to Alan de Pennington. In 1399, additional lands were granted to Sir Alan.

-1415

Sir Alan Pennington died while he held the manor of the Abbot of Furness and paid rent. His son John, who was twenty-two years old, inherited the estate.

-1452

A yearly rent was settled upon John Pennington's son, also named John Pennington, and his wife Isabel, the daughter of John Broughton.

-1461 - 1464 (King Henry VI found near the castle / “The Luck of Muncaster”)

According to Pennington family folklore, King Henry VI had evaded capture during the War of the Roses* and, after his request for shelter was refused at nearby Irton Hall, fled over the fell to Muncaster, where Sir John Pennington is said to have found the King wandering, about a mile from the castle. John and his wife cared for Henry, providing food and shelter for nine days.

As the story goes, the King was said to present Sir John with an ornate Venetian glass drinking bowl with a prayer for their prosperity, declaring that so long as the bowl remained intact, the Pennington family would live at Muncaster. 

The bowl has since been dubbed the “Luck of Muncaster” and stays hidden at the Castle, with few knowing its whereabouts. Additionally, a painting of King Henry kneeling before an altar with the bowl in his right hand is hanging in the bedroom he used at Muncaster. 

*Some sources note this happening in 1461 following the Battle of Towton, while others note it in 1464 following the Battle of Hexham.

-1482

An agreement was made between the parents for the marriage of Sir John Pennington's son, John, and Mary, the daughter of Sir John Hudleston, that Sir John would not sell any of the lands inherited from his grandfather.

-c. 1485 - 1600 (Fortification remodelled and expanded to a castle)

The residence was remodelled for comfort, as the Tudor period dispelled the need for fortification. 

Several generations of Penningtons expand on the hall and tower, eventually developing it into a castle.  

-1504 -1573 (Muncaster passed down)

Sir John Pennington, the grandson of the previously mentioned individual, made a settlement of the manor. According to his will in 1505, he left a third part of his lands in Lancashire, Cumberland, and Westmorland to his wife, Dame Joan Ogle, with the remainder going to his sons John (the heir), Alan, and William. If they had no heirs, the lands would pass to the right heirs of his grandfather, John Pennington.

The manor later passed to a cousin named John Pennington. His son, Sir William, inherited the manor at a young age after John died in 1522. 

Sir William died in 1532, leaving his underage son, William, as the heir. Frances Pennington, widow of Sir William, wrote to the Abbot of Furness about her son's marriage.

In 1573, William Pennington died while in possession of the manor. He had married Bridget, the widow of Hugh Askew, and in 1572, settled the manor of Pennington on their son Joseph, who was eight years old at the time. Joseph Pennington is mentioned in various legal documents and fines related to the manor.

-1577 (Castle name changed)

The first known instance of Mulcaster being called Muncaster was recorded in a Cumberland church register. 

-1589 and 1604

Fines concerning the manor were recorded, with Bridget Pennington, widow, Joseph Pennington (Esq.), John, and William Pennington identified as deforciants.

-1600

No freeholders were recorded in Pennington. 

-1676 (First Baronet of Muncaster created, Manor customs established)

William Pennington (son of Joseph) acquired the manor of Farington in Leyland, and his grandson, William, was created the first Baronet of Muncaster. 

The Chancery issued a decree confirming the customs of the Pennington manor as established by Joseph Pennington and his tenants. Customs include heriots, fines, quit rents, and requirements for tree planting. 

-1783 (Castle rebuilt, Chapels Tower erected, first Baron Muncaster created)

The Penningtons married well throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, and a vacancy in the Irish Peerage led to John Pennington, the fifth Baronet of Muncaster, being created first Baron Muncaster. 

John, Lord Muncaster, carried out extensive renovations both inside the Castle and out, transforming the Gothic fortress into a place in which the family could entertain in style. He founded the octagonal library and added sash windows throughout the castle. 

Lord Muncaster also planted many large hardwood trees and had an orangery constructed. In addition, he raised the tower a mile northeast of the Castle known as Chapels to commemorate where his ancestors had found Henry VI.

-1826 - 1853 (Muncaster mortgaged) 

The Pennington family records show numerous proposals for loans on the Muncaster Castle estate in 1826. The proposed total mortgage requested was at least £185,000, equivalent to roughly £28,173,582 ($35,070,475) today. 

The mortgage was paid off in 1853.

-1862 - 1866 (Castle refurbished)

Famous Victorian architect Anthony Salvin was hired to refurbish Muncaster Castle. 

-1917 - 1958 (Last Lord Muncaster Died, Extensive garden work, Queen Mary visit)

The fifth Lord Muncaster, Gamel Pennington, died without an heir, reverting the estate to the nearest relation on his mother’s side, Sir John Frecheville Ramsden, 6th Baronet, on condition his second son, Geoffrey, changed his name to Pennington. (The seventh Baronet assumed the surname by 1925 but resumed use of his original surname in 1958, going by Pennington-Ramsden.)

Sir John discussed proposed modifications to the Castle, yet no changes were made. He brought many Ramsden family possessions to Muncaster, including family portraits. However, he and his family did not reside at the castle but a few months out of the year. 

At this time, the estate still spanned 23,000 acres. Sir John sponsored numerous expeditions by plant hunters, most notably George Forrest and Frank Kingdon-Ward. Some of their discoveries remain in the gardens today, many endangered in their original habitats, and are propagated to ensure their legacy.  

Sir John carried out many extensive works in the gardens, including planting Bulstrode rhododendron seedlings after WWI and began breeding hybrids. Assisted by John Guille Millais, he constantly improved the gardens until his death in 1958.

According to estate papers in the Cumbria Archive, Queen Mary visited the Castle in 1934, presumably to discuss the Muncaster Estate. There was a compensation agreement and a surrender of premises, royalties and interests in Cumberland drafted in 1932, as well as sales particulars, draft conveyances, and enfranchisement papers around the same time.

-1958 (Castle redecorated)

Lady Pennington-Ramsden redecorated the Castle. 

-1968 (Muncaster opens to the public)

Muncaster opened regularly to the public, featuring a bird garden and a mini zoo. 

1985 (Pennington family moves back into the Castle)

Phyllida Gordon-Duff-Pennington and her husband, Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, inherit Muncaster and move into the castle with their children, becoming the first family since 1917 to live full-time on the property. 

The castle was said to be losing £50,000 a year by this time. Phyllida and Patrick worked hard over the next 30 years to establish the “crumbling relic” as a welcoming place for tourism and events. The couple is said to have adopted the motto, “The ornaments of a house are the friends that frequent it”, and encouraged the Muncaster staff to embrace this philosophy. 

-1990s

The final Asiatic black bears on the estate left Cumbria in 1990. They transferred to Dudley Zoo, leaving the Muncaster bear pit empty. 

Around this time, Phyllada and Patrick’s daughter, Iona Frost-Pennington, and her husband, Peter, take over the estate's affairs. 

In the latter years of the decade, Muncaster was re-roofed as part of the “Third Millennium Muncaster” project, which also included rejuvenating the zoo and bird gardens. 

Over the years, the Penningtons, along with loyal staff members and dedicated volunteers, stem the losses and begin to make a small surplus on Muncaster, which they re-invest into the estate. 

-2019

Ewan Frost-Pennington, son of Iona, installed a ground source heat pump, benefitting the building and providing low carbon energy to decrease humidity and temperature fluctuations throughout the castle. 

-October 2021 (Recovery funds granted)

Muncaster was one of 142 sites to receive part of the government’s £35-million Culture Recovery Fund.

With a view to making the castle carbon-neutral, south-facing solar panels were installed on the roof of the Meadowvole Maze attraction. These panels currently run the electrics for the castle.  

-May 2023

Ewan Frost-Pennington began his first season as the castle’s “custodian” (a term he prefers over heir). The highly ambitious former environmental engineer entered with plans to make Muncaster a zero-carbon castle over the next decade.

The castle receives upwards of 90,000 visitors annually.