PDA

View Full Version : Skipton Castle. Dec 28th 2010



SilentHill
29-12-2010, 10:47 PM
SKIPTON CASTLE.

A timber fortress was originally built on the site c1090 by Robert de Romille, a Norman baron, to protect from the Scots. The site, with cliffs at the rear and a sheer drop down to Eller Beck at the bottom, was perfect for a defensive structure. The wooden fort was soon replaced with a more formidable Norman stone castle.

The castle was granted to the Clifford family in 1310 by King Edward II. Robert Clifford was appointed first Lord Clifford of Skipton and Guardian of Craven. The name Clifford was taken from Clifford Castle in Herefordshire which the family also owned. Robert Clifford started heavily fortifying the castle, but was killed in 1314 (at Bannockburn) before the work was completed.

During the English Civil War the castle was a royalist stronghold, and withstood a three years siege by the Roundheads. After the surrender in 1645 Oliver Cromwell ordered the removal of the Castle roofs. Skipton remained the Clifford's principal seat until 1676. Today, their banner flies over the castle with the approval of the present Lord Clifford of Chudleigh.

The castle is fully roofed and has a beautiful early Tudor courtyard inside. Conduit Court in the heart of the castle holds a yew tree planted in 1659 by Lady Anne Clifford.

Visited with joybee :thumb

THE EXTERIOR.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc38.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc36.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc35.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc41.jpg

And a Castle wouldn't be a Castle without a Canon or two.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc40.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc17.jpg

A view of the sheer drop down to the frozen Eller Beck from one of the tower windows.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc18.jpg

The entrance, so in we go then.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc14.jpg

Some nice Arches.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc33.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc30.jpg

Steps to the Dungeon.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc34.jpg

The Conduit Courtyard and the very old Yew Tree.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc15.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/SC1.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc26.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc25.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc27.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc16.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc29.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc31.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/SC3.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc24.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc21.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/SC2.jpg

And from one Castle to another...... for a well earned birthday beer. Cheers :thumb :coffee

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/sc42.jpg

Rebel
29-12-2010, 10:54 PM
Cool, never heard of Skipton castle before. Looks good but there doesn't seem to be any items on display?

Nicola
29-12-2010, 11:13 PM
Cool!

SilentHill
29-12-2010, 11:14 PM
It was a tad sparse Rebel. There seems to have been some recent refurb work going on here too.

evilnoodle
29-12-2010, 11:23 PM
Oooh....haven't been here for yonks. The inner courtyard is beautiful. Cracking pics matey :thumb

joybee
30-12-2010, 08:02 AM
Good to see you ain't lost ya touch in yer old age :lol:

ceejam
30-12-2010, 08:57 AM
Top notch yet again, tremendous in fact.

judderman62
30-12-2010, 01:40 PM
I like the look of that place lots :thumb Nicely captured as always sir :smclap

boxfrenzy
30-12-2010, 05:24 PM
That's nice mate. I love castles as well. Some really decent shots there as well. :thumb

Rochester
30-12-2010, 07:23 PM
Good day out there SH, cracking images to your usual high standard..