| John Burke's Richmond Castle |
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Richmond Castle is in North Yorkshire - wonderful countryside full of waterfalls and beautiful scenery.
It was originally built by one of William the Conqueror's supporters, Alan "the Red" of Brittany in the 1070s. |
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Alan had fought with William at the Battle of Hastings and was one of William's advisors.
Right: The castle is set in a commanding position high on the cliff above the River Swale.
Left: the remains of Scolland's Hall, the original keep, being a low fortified building. |
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The building is named after Earl Alan's steward, though it would have been the main building of the castle in its time.
The upper floor was a feasting hall, also used for the dispensing of justice and for the administration of the Earl's lands and estates.
The row of holes in the wall seen right, were for beams supporting the upper floor. They were aided by timber pillars from the ground floor room. |
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There is a small room to the side of the ground floor room which leads out into a large space known as the Cockpit. It was probably used for cock fighting at a later stage in the castle's history.
It is an open court area, overlooking the ford across the river and from where nasty unmentionables could be lobbed at anyone who tried to cross without permission! |
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The view from the Solar and (right) St Nicholas's Chapel. The walls would be plastered white and with painted designs. |
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