Stokesay Castle

 

• 1280s: Laurence de Ludlow used Stokesay Castle as a secure residence. It was conveniently located near various other properties and businesses he owned.

• 1294: William, Laurence de Ludlow’s son, took over the castle and completed the work his father had started. The Ludlow family kept ownership of the castle until the late 15th-century.

 

• 1498: Thomas Vernon, husband of a Ludlow granddaughter, took ownership of the castle through marriage. The Vernon family retained ownership for nearly a century.

 

• 1563: Henry Vernon inherited the castle. However, he was later arrested for unpaid debts. To cover his debts, he sold the castle in 1596.

 

• 1620: Dame Elizabeth Craven and her son, William, would occupy the castle for nearly two decades.

 

• 1640s: William Craven no longer spent much time at Stokesay Castle, so he rented it out to Charles and Samuel Baldwyn, a father and son.

 

• Early 18th Century: Various farmers used the castle for agricultural purposes. The property was not used as a personal residence after this time.

General Layout

Outer appearances might indicate a dramatic, defensible structure, particularly when viewing the South Tower. However, Stokesay Castle had no actual fortifications allowing it to successfully act as a military defence. In fact, the structure featured many vulnerabilities.

The manor was more of an elaborate personal residence versus a military-ready fortress. It was never considered strong enough to endure an attack.

Original Layout

Stokesay Castle sits atop a mound near the River Onny. The manor began as a private apartment chamber, Great Hall, and two towers. This construction layout was quite popular in England during the 13th-century.

Just outside the castle is the parish church, St. John the Baptist Church. This church has Norman origins, though it was heavily reconstructed in the 17th century.

Surrounding the manor was a 4.6 to 7.6 metre (15 to 25 ft) moat, though it’s unclear whether it was a dry moat or filled with water. However, there was a lake and pond just past the moat.

Curtain Wall and Courtyard

A fortified curtain wall once surrounded the castle. It was a rather superficial defence, though it did provide some protection for the courtyard and gatehouse.

Stokesay Castle’s courtyard was moderately-sized, about 46 metres by 38 metres (150 by 125 ft). Within the courtyard stood various structures, likely including a kitchen, bakery, and stores.

When the castle was first erected, it was accessed via a long causeway. As visitors trekked along this path, they’d see the spectacular, intimidating-yet-superficial South Tower jutting from the ground. This tower’s implied strength may have been enhanced by the moat, which reflected the image of the tall structure.

After walking along the causeway, visitors would walk along the Great Hall before accessing the castle’s interior via the gatehouse.

Gatehouse

Stokesay Castle’s gatehouse is not much of a gatehouse when pitted against other fortified structures in England at the time. In fact, its purpose was more for looks rather than defence.

The two-storey gatehouse was constructed around the 17th-century. Its layout incorporated traditional Shropshire workmanship, including visible wood beams. The woodwork boasts beautiful ornamental carvings along the interior and exterior entrances, including Biblical figures, dragons, and nude characters. 

South Tower

With its octagonal shape and imposing exterior, the South Tower is the most castle-like structure in all of Stokesay Castle. It boasted three storeys and included thick, durable walls where stairs and garderobes were housed. Unfortunately, these spaces caused structural vulnerabilities, leading to the construction of support buttresses.

In 1830, a large, destructive fire occurred within the South Tower. The upper floors of the tower were no match for the heat and were incinerated. However, much of the tower was rebuilt. During the 17th-century, a new fireplace was added.

The South Tower boasts three levels, including the first-storey and a single-chamber second storey. Originally, the first level provided the only access to the cellar stairs. The basement was used for storage and also included a well to provide drinking water to the manor.

Hall and Solar Block

Next to the South Tower sit the Hall and Solar Block. Upon the castle’s initial construction, the Hall and Solar Block were symmetrical when viewed from the bailey. However, in the 19th-century, the buttresses were added for additional support which changed the overall appearance of these structures.

The hall is approximately 17 by 9 metres (54 by 31 ft) and boasts magnificent timber arches. These arches originally acted as roof supports. The room was once separated using a wooden divider to create a dining space.

The Solar Block, also known as the private apartments, feature two storeys and a basement. This area is where the castle occupants would receive guests, and also acted as Laurence de Ludlow’s private chambers. The Solar is accessed via an outdoor staircase and boasts an immaculate and elaborate hand-carved wooden fireplace dating from the 17th century.

North Tower

Like the South Tower, the North Tower also boasts three storeys. It’s accessed via a historic 13th-century staircase located in the hall. The first level of the North Tower boasts beautiful decorative tiles, likely incorporated by Laurence de Ludlow.

On the second storey, the walls are constructed using both wood and stone. There is an original fireplace dating from the 1200s. The windows of the North Tower date to the 17th century.

Interestingly, the hall, Solar, and North Tower all contain markings indicating the same carpenter built these structures during the 1280s and 1290s.

Modern Layout

Stokesay Castle is considered a well-preserved structure by historians. In addition, it’s often referred to as quite unusual, due to the condition in which the buildings remain. 

During the English Civil War, the castle was slighted, leading to the destruction of its curtain walls. By the 1800s, the buildings within the courtyard were demolished. Today, the well within the basement of the hall is covered to protect visitors exploring the site.

In the hall, the joints now sit on stone supports. Originally, they were completely wooden and stretched from the top of the arch to the ground.