The Secrets of Tamworth Castle: A History

A little over 900 years ago, the first motte and bailey castle was built in what is now Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Over time, it has been rebuilt and expanded to become the imposing Norman structure that we see today.But what secrets does this Castle hold?

Many of us have heard ghost stories associated with castles – but did you know that there are actually three ghosts said to haunt Tamworth Castle?

One is even said to be a former owner of the castle! If you’re interested in learning more about these spooky tales, read on.

Table of Contents

History of Tamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle is a historic castle located in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. The castle was built by the Normans in the 11th century, and has been home to many notable families over the centuries.

Today, the castle is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction. The history of Tamworth Castle begins in the 11th century, when the Normans built a motte-and-bailey castle on the site of an earlier Saxon fortification.

The castle was built to control the strategically important crossing of the River Tame, and was the seat of the powerful Earl of Leicester.

Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and remodelled, and became one of the largest and most luxurious castles in England.

It was home to many notable families, including the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Stafford, and the Duke of Buckingham. In the 16th century, the castle was partially destroyed during the English Civil War, and was then rebuilt in the Victorian era.

Today, the castle is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Tamworth Castle, then why not pay a visit?

The castle is open to the public all year round, and there are plenty of guided tours available.

Key Takeaway: Tamworth Castle was built by the Normans in the 11th century, and has been home to many notable families over the centuries. Today, the castle is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction.

The Architecture of Tamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle is a Norman motte and bailey castle in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. The castle was built by Robert de Marmion in 1068 and was the first castle in England to be built with a Norman keep.

The keep is a large square tower with four corner turrets. The walls of the keep are eleven feet thick at the base and taper to nine feet thick at the top.

The castle has a moat that is fifteen feet deep and sixty feet wide. The castle was besieged by the Scots in 1296 and was captured by them in 1314.

The castle was recaptured by the English in 1322. The castle was slighted by Parliament in 1647 during the English Civil War.

The castle was restored in the 19th century and is now open to the public.

The Siege of Tamworth Castle

The Siege of Tamworth Castle was a conflict that took place in England during the Civil War of the 12th century. The castle was besieged by the forces of King Henry II, who was attempting to take control of the country from King Stephen.

The siege lasted for nearly a month, and ended with the castle’s surrender.

Ghost Stories Associated With the Castle

Tamworth Castle has a long and rich history, dating back to the 11th century. The castle has been associated with many ghost stories over the years.

One of the most famous is that of the “Green Lady”. The Green Lady is said to be the ghost of Lady Elizabeth Drury, who was imprisoned in the castle for her part in the Babington Plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I.

Lady Elizabeth is said to haunt the castle to this day. Another ghost said to haunt the castle is that of a man in black.

He is said to be the ghost of a soldier who was killed in a battle during the English Civil War. The man in black has been seen by many people over the years, and is said to be a friendly ghost.

Come explore the long and rich history of Tamworth Castle! This 11th century castle has many ghost stories associated with it, including the famous Green Lady. Click To Tweet

Today: What You Can See and Do at Tamworth Castle

Tamworth castle is a great place to visit if you want to see a real life castle. You can go on a guided tour of the castle and learn all about its history.

You can also explore the castle grounds and see the beautiful gardens. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go on a ghost hunt!

Conclusion

The first motte and bailey castle was built by the Norman lord, Robert de Muscegros, in 1075.

This original wooden structure was later rebuilt in stone by King Henry II between 1173 and 1174. In 1265, during the Barons’ War, Tamworth Castle was besieged by Simon de Montfort’s rebel army – but they were unsuccessful in taking it.

The architecture of Tamworth Castle is typical of Norman castles, with thick walls and large towers designed to withstand attack. One notable feature is the ‘murder hole’, which can be found above the main gatehouse door.

This hole would have been used to drop boiling oil or water on any attackers who managed to breach the castle gates!

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