Skipton Castle

I had a late afternoon appointment in Skipton, to collect my new specs. It was a lovely, sunny day for once, with more than a hint of spring in the warm sunshine, so I decided to drive over there early and visit the castle, something I've been promising to do for ages.

Skipton Castle is one of the most complete medieval castles in England, though it has of course been remodelled over the years. There was initially a wooden fort here to guard against invading Scots, built by Robert de Romille and dating to 1090, just after the Norman invasion. Soon afterwards a stronger stone castle was built, which passed into the hands of the Clifford family in 1310. You approach it through a substantial gatehouse in the outer curtain wall, with the motto (in Norman French) of the Clifford family: Desormais (Henceforth!) carved in stone above. Once through the gate, the huge watchtower, the central feature of the original defences, towers above.

There was originally a moat, crossed by a bridge. You would have passed under a portcullis before entering the castle itself through the main door into an inner courtyard; you can still see the grooves of the portcullis and the Norman arch.

The castle withstood a three year siege during the English Civil War, the last Royalist bastion in the North. An ancient well has recently been discovered in the outer ward, which is probably how the garrison survived during the siege. In 1645 a favourable surrender was negotiated with Oliver Cromwell. It allowed the garrison to march out with 'colours flying' to rejoin the King's forces. Cromwell ordered the roof of the castle to be removed and the walls reduced ('slighted') but the castle remained in the Clifford family. He later allowed the redoubtable Lady Anne Clifford to arrange repairs (so long as the walls were built less strong) and she planted a yew tree in the central courtyard in commemoration. The tree is still there.

The Norman castle had very thick walls, as you can see below, which is one reason it withstood the siege. The arrow slits allowed crossbows to be fired at invaders. 

Within the castle grounds there is a 13th century chapel, dedicated to St John the Evangelist.