- Stafford Castle
. It is built in the classic 'motte and bailey' style and the shape can still be seen today in the surrounding fields.
It was originally a timber fortification upon an artificial hill and upgraded later by Earl Ralph in 1347 by building a massive stone keep.
In 1444, Humphrey Stafford was created Duke of Buckinghamshire and the castle reached its heyday.
Early on during the Civil War it was defended by Lady Isabel but was eventually abandoned.
Rebuilt in the Gothic Revival Style in 1813, the castle fell into ruin through this century but is still standing, open to visitors and visible from the M6 motorway.
During the
Victorian era , the exterior was clad in red bricks. When the castle later fell into disrepair a child was killed playing in the castle. Builders were employed to "make the building safe", and destroyed large parts of the building before realising that behind the red brick was a Norman castle. Prior to this, Staffordshire historians appear to have lost large chunks of the county's history, and believed the Castle was merely a Victorian-era mansion.Every summer events are performed in the grounds of the Castle. More information can be viewed at [http://www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk]
External Links
[http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/127/staffordcastle.htm CastleUk]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
