This now derelict tower was built in the early 12th century. It was later raised in height, perhaps for a visit by Edward III in 1334. It was intended to display the power of the landowner to the people of the town below it.
It was first used in battle in the English Civil War in 1644, when it was defended by the Royalists. The civil war was a bitter conflict between King and Parliament. In 1644 at the battle of Marston Moor, the Royalists were defeated by the Parliamentarians. Soon after, the city of York fell to the Parliamentarians, and then their attention turned to Helmsley, where Royalists faced a siege which began by September 1644. Eventually, in November 1644 the Royalists were forced to surrender, following a failed attempt to supply the castle with food.
Following the surrender, the massive gatehouses and the east tower were destroyed with explosives. The stonework from the demolished part of the East Tower can still be seen as a pile of rubble in the defensive ditch below the tower. It would no longer display the power of the landowner as it had done during the previous 500 years.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Quite a few other remains of the castle still exist, so Helmsley castle is a good place to see and understand how a castle functioned.
Even after the destruction of the east tower and other defences, the castle continued to be inhabited for quite a long time. It was only with changing tastes and levels of comfort meant that the landowner had built a grand mansion in parkland to the west (Duncombe Park) and the castle was abandoned.
Well spotted, there is someone in front of the tower on the outer defences. It is an interesting walk around the defensive banks, though a little overgrown at the moment. Lots of wild flowers to be seen, as well as good views of the surviving parts of the castle.
It is an imposing place - I wouldn't want to be one of the soldiers attacking it - and the parliamentarians didn't want to attack it either, hence the siege.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Quite a few other remains of the castle still exist, so Helmsley castle is a good place to see and understand how a castle functioned.
Even after the destruction of the east tower and other defences, the castle continued to be inhabited for quite a long time. It was only with changing tastes and levels of comfort meant that the landowner had built a grand mansion in parkland to the west (Duncombe Park) and the castle was abandoned.
Ian
Well spotted, there is someone in front of the tower on the outer defences. It is an interesting walk around the defensive banks, though a little overgrown at the moment. Lots of wild flowers to be seen, as well as good views of the surviving parts of the castle.
Ian
Thank you Junan, its a great place for photos!
Ian
It is an imposing place - I wouldn't want to be one of the soldiers attacking it - and the parliamentarians didn't want to attack it either, hence the siege.
Ian
Thank you Vesna, this is a lovely castle to explore with a long and fascinating history.
Ian