Etal Castle

-1107

Etal was one of many lands comprising the Barony of Muschamp. Feudal baronies were carved out of the Northumberland estates by Henry I, who awarded the Barony of Wooler to Robert Muschamp.  

-1180

Robert Manners, a knight supporting Muschamp, gains hold of the manor around Etal. It's possible his family was granted the estate for Robert's service to the broader Barony. Almost certainly, the Manners family built a rudimentary fortification on the border site, most likely a timber hall enclosed by a wooden palisade. 

-1278

By this time, another Robert Manners (either the son or grandson of the one who held the manor in 1180) had received the estate. King Edward I knighted him, and it's very likely that a stone hall was built to replace the wooden one around this time as well. 

-1341

This was when the transition of Etal manor into Etal castle began. Sir Robert Manners was granted a license by King Edward III to crenellate the manor house. Historians suggest that Robert was prompted to seek a crenellation licence to protect the manor from both the Scottish threat and a rivalry with his neighbors, the Heron family at nearby Ford. The latter was granted their licence to crenellate a few years prior. 

The three-storey stone tower house had a fourth storey added as well as crenellations around the top. The tower house had a barmekin, or defensive enclosure, with earthwork defences.  

-1354

Sir Robert Manners dies and leaves the castle to his son, John Manners, a minor at the time. (This was a break of family tradition, as Etal passed through some six generations of Robert Manners until this time. Some speculate that John was the younger son, and his older brothers--presumably, a Robert--died before inheriting the manor.) 

-1355

Sir Edward Letham acquired wardship of the residence, at which point a survey described it as a fortalice or a weakly defended castle. Work continued under John with a gatehouse and stone curtain added. At least one tower was constructed to augment the curtain wall.

-1368

Etal Castle was mostly completed, as a survey described it as a proper castle at this time.

-1428

The castle was now in the hands of another John Manners, the original Tower builder's great-grandson. He and his family were still involved in a long-standing feud with their neighbors at Ford Castle, the Herons. 

Though the specific events are unclear, it seems that Sir William Heron, the heir to the Lord of Ford, assaulted Etal Castle. A fight ensued between the two families just outside the estate, resulting in William's death. His widow then blamed John and his son (also John) for his death. 

This led to the church investigating the incident. Despite the argument that William had died while attacking the castle and John had no direct involvement, John was made to pay compensation of 250 marks to William's widow and 500 masses for his soul. Records indicate this was a severe blow to the Manners' family wealth, and Etal Castle began to suffer from lack of upkeep here on out.  

-1438-1461

Robert Manners, another of John's sons, inherited Etal castle. It was reported at the time as "ruined and therefore valueless." Indeed, the estate's value had fallen considerably over the years due to war, feuding, and poverty among the lands. 

-1464-1500

Robert died in 1464 and passed Etal castle to his son (also Robert), who gave it to his son, George, upon his death in 1495. However, from his mother's side of the family, George also received the title of Baron de Ros; By the end of the 15th century, the Manners family abandoned the castle as a residence and moved closer to the royal court. The castle was left in the hands of John Collingwood, the castle's hereditary constable.

-1513

James IV of Scotland invaded England; after taking the Norham and Wark border castles, he moved against Etal Castle. John Collingwood quickly surrendered Etal in hopes of avoiding being pillaged. Nonetheless, it was still partially damaged deliberately to prevent any defensive use. 

Yet Scottish control was short-lived, as James and his army were decisively defeated at the Battle of Flodden. Etal Castle was retaken and used by Lord Dacre to secure captured Scottish artillery, protected by a small garrison.  

-1541

The castle and its buildings are reported in a royal commission as "in very great decay," and fortification repair is recommended.

-1547

In exchange for other estates, the Crown purchased the property from the Manners and put Sir John Elleker in charge of the castle. However, within two years, the Collingwoods were acting as castle constables once more. They retained this position for the rest of the century.

-1552

Despite it being notably decayed, the Deputy Warden of the East March uses the castle as his residence.

-1564

The castle is noted as in poor condition and declared uninhabitable. 

-1584

The castle is again abandoned, and yet another commissioned report states the need for Etal's repair. 

-1603

The Crowns of Scotland and England are united, and Etal Castle loses its military value. In the subsequent decades, it passed through several owners, including Robert Carr in 1636. He was made to forfeit Etal during the Wars of Three Kingdoms as he supported the Royalist cause; it was later restored to him in 1660 when Charles II took the throne. 

-1748

Etal was abandoned as a residence once more and allowed to drift into ruin thereafter.

-1797

Thomas Girtin painted the ruins of Etal Castle in watercolour, based on his visit to the site in the autumn of 1796.

-1908

The 1st Baron Joicey of Chester le Street purchased the Etal Estate (as well as Ford). He is responsible for restoring much of the castle that remained standing and transforming the village into the charming place it is today. Guardianship of the castle was given to the state in 1975, and today, it is managed by English Heritage and protected by law as a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument.