ROCKINGHAM CASTLE

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Castle founded by William the Conqueror as a motte and bailey in 1066, (SP89SE34), rebuilt during the reign of Edward I as a residence and fortified in 1323. The castle started to fall into disrepair in 1485 and was subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century. During the Civil War the castle was fortified with a complex of earthworks and gun emplacements. The building was remodelled in 1660 and in the mid 19th century to designs by A Salvin. It is built of limestone ashlar with a Collyweston slate roof. Scheduled.

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[SP 86689133] ROCKINGHAM CASTLE [G.T.] (1)

Associated earthworks surveyed.
GPs AO/61/140/3-8. (2)

Rockingham Castle is said to have been founded by William the Conqueror in 1066. It was then used by successive monarchs as a residence and retreat. After a siege in 1220 the castle was damaged but was rebuilt by Edward I as a residence. In 1323 Edward II fortified the castle. Rockingham continued in use as a royal residence until around 1485 when it started to fall into disrepair, the usurper Henry VII prefering a lodge in the park. From 1530 the castle was rebuilt by Edward Watson and his sons, being eventually purchased from the crown in 1619.

In 1643 the castle was siezed by parliamentry forces in a suprise attack. It was then fortified with an idiosyncratic set of earthworks and gun emplacements. In 1646 the keep was thrown down and parliament's troops left.

The castle was restored to the Watson family, now with the title Lord Rockingham at the Restoration. They completed the rebuilding of the domestic parts of the castle. The castle has since passed through various branches of the family to the present day. Charles Dickens wrote part of `Bleak House' while staying at the castle. (2)

Additional reference. (3)

Castle, now country house. C11 castle founded by William the Conqueror. Parts of gatehouse may be of this date but mainly of 1275-80, also section of wall to south and structure of great hall. Range to east of great hall 1535 and datestone 1553, range to west of great hall C16 remodelled 1660 and mid C19, by A. Salvin. Laundry to south and Walkers house to north of gatehouse 1650.
Limestone ashlar and squared coursed limestone and ironstone with Colleyweston slate roof.

Originally motte and bailey with shell keep now an irregular H-shape layout with outer bailey to the north and a courtyard to the south. Mainly 2 storeys with attics. Gatehouse to east of outer building is squared coursed ironstone with pair of semicircular limestone ashlar towers with 2-centred arch between cross slits in towers, chamfered plinth, string courses and castellated parapets. C13 curtain wall attached to left has C17 gable to right and square turret to left with blocked 4-centred arch to first floor. Listed Grade I. (4)

Additional reference. (5)

Listed by Cathcart King. (6)

Largely rebuild in the reign of Edward I with new buildings, particularly royal apartments in the bailey, which was rebuilt in stone along with the keep. From 1341 until 1483 it was usually granted as a dower house to the Queen. (7)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1958

( 2) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FRH 17-AUG-1961

( 3) English Heritage Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England

Northamptonshire Part 30

(4) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

East Northamptonshire (Jan 1988) 1753

( 5) David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume II : Norfolk-Yorkshire and the islands

2 Page(s)317

( 6) edited by Peter Furtado et al 1988 Ordnance Survey guide to castles in Britain

Page(s)138

(7) R Allen Brown, H M Colvin and A J Taylor 1963 The history of the King's Works, volume 2 : the Middle Ages

Page(s)815-8

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