Pickering castle is on rising ground to the north of the town centre. It was a motte-and-bailey castle built by the Normans as part of the suppression of Northern England.
It saw little military action but was a popular location for English Kings due to the proximity of the adjacent Royal forest. It was regularly upgraded until the fourteenth century after which it was allowed to fall into ruin.This castle was used as a royal hunting lodge, holiday home and a stud farm by a succession of medieval kings.
The defences are an impressive display of protection in depth. To the north and west steep slopes provide good defence, but the approach from the south and east is easier for attackers so this is where the strongest defences are.
A stone curtain wall with towers surrounds the castle and there is a defensive ditch outside the wall in the south and east. A well defended gatehouse gives access to an outer bailey. A further curtain wall and defensive ditch crosses this area and there was another well defended access to the northern part of the site, the inner bailey where many of the important buildings were located. There is then a huge mound where the castle keep was located, giving a final defensive position.
This shot was taken in the inner bailey. The mound of the motte can be seen on the left, with the remains of the keep on top of it. To the right is part of the wall between the inner and outer bailey. The steps in the foreground look to have been modified, being far less steep than I would expect. The hand rails are certainly a more recent safety measure.
So an impressive multi layer defensive system was created. And after that there is no record of any attack ever taking place on the castle!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It does seem remarkable that Pickering castle escaped conflict, when only a few miles away at Helmsley castle there was a major siege during the English Civil War.
wow! I just googled Pickering Castle, it was magnificent. The grounds are so big. Pity these magnificent castles are in ruin today, but I suppose the upkeep and maintenance is very steep.
Thanks for the history of this castle, I find it fascinating indeed
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It does seem remarkable that Pickering castle escaped conflict, when only a few miles away at Helmsley castle there was a major siege during the English Civil War.
Ian
Thanks for the history of this castle, I find it fascinating indeed
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Thank you Nina. Castles lost their power as artillery became more effective, and the walls could be more easily breached.
Ian