Castles in My Family - Bletsoe Castle

 

 Bletsoe Castle was built by John Pateshull, who got permission to fortify an existing manor house on the east side of Bletsoe in 1327. Pateshull had owned the manor of Bletsoe since 1313, but after his mother passed away in 1324, he inherited more land, which allowed him to get the permission he needed to fortify the property.

In 1421, the house was inherited by Margaret Beauchamp, who married Sir Oliver St John. After his death in 1437, she married John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, and they had a daughter, Margaret Beaufort. Margaret, who was born in the house on May 31st, was later known as the Countess of Richmond and Derby. Although there's some debate about whether she was born in 1441 or 1443, Margaret Beaufort went on to become the mother of Henry VII of England.

 

Castles in my Family - Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle (pronounced "BARK-lee") is a historic castle located in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. Dating back to the 11th century it's recognized as a Grade I-listed building by English Heritage.

This castle is famously associated with the murder of King Edward II in 1327. The Berkeley family, who rebuilt it in the 12th century, have owned the castle for most of its history, with the exception of a period of royal ownership during the Tudor era.

In 1882, the Berkeley barony split from the earldom, and the 8th and last Earl of Berkeley (1865–1942) passed the castle down to his 13th cousin, Captain Robert Berkeley of Spetchley Park, Worcestershire (1898–1969). His grandson, Charles Berkeley (born 1968), who served as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire for 2019/20, inherited the castle and estate from his father, Major John Berkeley (1931–2017).

You can visit the castle today. See https://www.berkeley-castle.com/ .

Castles in my Family - Raby Castle

 

Raby Castle stands near Staindrop in County Durham, England. It rises among 200 acres of deer park. John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, built it between 1367 and 1390. Cecily Neville, mother to Kings Edward IV and Richard III, was born here.

In 1569, Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, led the Rising of the North to support Mary, Queen of Scots. He failed, and Raby Castle fell to the Crown. Sir Henry Vane the Elder bought it in 1626. The Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland later added a Gothic entrance hall and an octagonal drawing room.

The castle, known for its size and art, including works by old masters and portraits, saw extensive changes in the 17th and 18th centuries. From 1833 to 1891, it was home to the Dukes of Cleveland, who still hold the title of Lord Barnard. The poet Christopher Smart frequented Raby Castle from age eleven. He eloped briefly at thirteen with Anne Vane, daughter of Henry Vane.

You can visit Raby Castle today. See https://www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle/.

Castles in my Family - Pevensey Castle and the Tower of London

William the Conqueror came to England and, among other things, established his presence by commandeering, building, and repairing many previously existing castle sites. The famous Tower of London is the site of one of his first fortifications.

Pevensey Castle was in ruins when William came across it. He made a few repairs and used it as a temporary shelter.

For more on William's castles, see https://www.tripsavvy.com/castles-of-william-the-conqueror-4051210.

My genealogical link to William the Conqueror

King William's and Queen Matilda's 4th son Henry, also known as Henry (BEAUCLERC) 1, was successor to the crown of England after his brother.

Castles in my Family - Brus Castle

Robert de Brus (the 6th great-grandfather of the famous king of Scotland Robert 1 the Bruce), built the castle of Brus (now Brix) in the Cherbourg Peninsula. The Brus family occupied the castle for generations.

 

Robert fought with William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings, and was rewarded with lands in France (located between Cherbourg and Valognes).

 

 

The castle was eventually destroyed by the order of King Saint Louis, after hearing that Richard the Lionheart and John with Land had stayed there. Some stones of the castle were used to rebuild the local church and village houses. The Bruce family also had lands in England, living there and giving up its lands in France.

 

Today, you can see ruins of the original castle, such as the foundation and the remains of a spiral staircase.

Genealogy of the Bruce Family

http://www.brucefamily.com/lineage.htm

Castles in my Family - Bodiam Castle

By WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7910287

Bodiam Castle (/ˈboʊdiəm/) is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II, ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War. Of quadrangular plan, Bodiam Castle has no keep, having its various chambers built around the outer defensive walls and inner courts. Its corners and entrance are marked by towers, and topped by crenellations. Its structure, details and situation in an artificial watery landscape indicate that display was an important aspect of the castle's design as well as defence. It was the home of the Dalyngrigge family and the centre of the manor of Bodiam.

By the start of the English Civil War in 1641, Bodiam Castle was in the possession of Lord Thanet. He supported the Royalist cause, and sold the castle to help pay fines levied against him by Parliament. The castle was subsequently dismantled, and was left as a picturesque ruin until its purchase by John Fuller in 1829. Under his auspices, the castle was partially restored before being sold to George Cubitt, 1st Baron Ashcombe, and later to Lord Curzon, both of whom undertook further restoration work. The castle is protected as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Monument. It has been owned by The National Trust since 1925, donated by Lord Curzon on his death, and is open to the public.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodiam_Castle

Castles in my Family - Windsor Castle

Originally built by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle was used by his son, Henry I, as a royal residence-- and has maintained this status ever since. In fact, it's known as the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.
Built on a strategic hill overlooking the Thames in Berkshire, the location was chosen to be a day's march from the Tower of London. The castle took 16 years to complete.

My Genealogical link to Henry I

King Henry and Queen Empress Matilda Edith of Scotland had a daughter, Holy Roman Empress Matilda Maude, the Queen of Italy.