[WF-Rules] Casltes I have know! (Ver 1.1)

[Noel Kelly]

Hi All

Recently, a conversation occurred in #lounge, about real world
locations that would be cool to model in mason. It started
with Lighthouses & quickly moved to Castles!

Here is my list of places with net & personal notes.

Durham & Lincoln as 'matched pairs', both have closely sited
castles/cathedral pairs. Indeed Durham Castle was initially built
to protect the Cathedral!

I also include some stuff from the net, for the Clifford family,
who have links to two castles (Skipton & York) from my list.

I posted these notes the Worlds Mailing List last week.
Lee suggested I cross post it to the Rules Mailing List too.
I've add notes on the Tower of London & the Prince Bishop
of Durham to this version.

The Prince Bishop is central to the histories of Durham Cathedral
& Castle. A great example of a special Title, made for a special
situation, a real once off!

So here is the newest version, re posted to Worlds & cross posted
to Rules!

Hope this is helpful!

regards

Gnoll


*** Coastal Castles ***


= Scarborough Castle

The Castle and headland dominates the town and harbour
some 300 ft below. The roughly triangular piece of ground
forming the headland of Castle Hill has been occupied
for over 2500 years, but the first stone fortress on
the site wasn't built until the early 12th century
by William le Gros. Remains of his early building
include a chapel, much altered in the 14th century,
and the curtain walls which were strengthened by Henry II
in the second half of the 12th century.

The castle suffered serious damage only twice throughout
its long past. During the Civil War it was subjected to
prolonged cannon fire, causing severe destruction,
and in 1914 the town and castle were attacked
by German battle cruisers, resulting in demolition
of much of the remaining structures.

I think Krondor is modelled on Scarborough Castle & Town.
When I first saw a map of Scarborough, 'that Krondor in
a mirror', was my first thought


= Conwy (Conway) Castles

Conwy along with Harlech is probably the most impressive of
all the Welsh castles. Both were designed by Edward I's
master castle builder James of St. George (James got around,
he also worked on Scarborough Castle), and while Harlech
has a more storied past, Conwy's eight massive towers and
high curtain wall are more impressive than those at Harlech.

Unlike Harlech however, Conwy Castle and town are surrounded
by a well-preserved wall lending an additional sense of
strength to the site.

Conwy was renovated and refortified during 1642-43 by John Williams,
archbishop of York, and was held for the king throughout
the (first) Civil War.

The Castle and intact walls would make a great town layout as is!


= Eilean Donan Castles

Yes the 'Highlander' castle.

The beginnings of Eilean Donan reach back into the early mists of time.
Evidence of a Pictish fort was found in vitrified rock uncovered
during excavations - some of which has been kept for visitors to see.
At the beginning of the seventh century St. Donan (d. 618) lived
on the island as a religious hermit; the name "Eilean Donan"
means "Island of Donan". This was the period when Christianity
was first introduced to the Western Isles.

The first fortified Stronghold was established in the reign of
King Alexander II (1214-1250). In 1263 King Alexander III gave
the castle to Colin Fitzgerald (sometimes referred to as
Colin MacCoinneach), son of the Earl of Desmond and Kildare
(later to become Mackenzies) as a reward for services
in the Battle of Largs. This famous battle culminated in the defeat
of the Norwegian king, Haco. Following his death shortly after,
his successor, Magnus, ceded all the Western Isles to Scotland.

Traditionally, it is believed that in the early part of
the fourteenth century century Robert the Bruce, out of favour
with many of the clan chiefs as well as being hunted by
the English, was given refuge in Eilean Donan Castle
by John Mackenzie, Second of Kintail

The MacRaes, who formed the bodyguard of the Chief of Kintail
first became constables of the castle in 1509. There are many stories
of military feats performed by members of the clan MacRae that
gained them the nickname: "Mackenzies' shirt of mail".
During the abortive Jacobite rising of 1719 Spanish troops hired
by the Mackenzies were billeted at Eilean Donan and the castle
was afterwards blown up.

At one time the Castles was held by two men, until relief arrived

Note, the bridge was built circa 1932

A great young frontier Castle



*** Bluff Castles ***


= Edinburgh Castle

The precipitous rock, rising out of surrounding forest,
is known to have been a tribal refuge and settlement.
There is archaeological evidence of human habitation
on the crag in the Bronze Age, about 1,000 BC.
This evidence makes Edinburgh one of the longest
continuously inhabited places in northern Europe.

Where did Edinburgh get its name? The answer is obscured by
the mists of time. The name could be a corruption of Edwin's Burgh,
commemorating a ninth-century king of Northumbria, whose realm extended
to the Firth of Forth. Other authorities, however, suggest that the
original form of the city's name was `din Eidyn' this is Brythonic,
a language akin to Welsh, spoken in the south-east of Scotland at the
time.

Note, the Honours of Scotland - the crown, sceptre and sword of state -
are housed in Crown Room. The Stone of Destiny is also housed here!
This is the coronation stone of Scotland. It is used for coronations at
Westminster Abbey, the coronation of the united Crowns of the United
Kingdom

Edinburgh Castle is also the home of the One O'Clock Gun. This is fired
every day except Sunday at precisely 1.00pm to provide everyone with
an accurate check for their clocks and watches.

A great stronghold & 'Heart of the Capital & Country' castle!

http://www.aboutscotland.com/edin/royal.html


= Skipton Castle

The first fortifications where built soon after 1090. It was replaced
with a more formidable stone castle which stood on top of a rocky bluff
with rising ground to the front and a sheer precipice falling
to the Eller Beck behind. 'Beck' is a Northern term for 'creek' or
'stream'. The history of the castle is inseparable from that of the
Clifford family who were granted the property by Edward II in 1310,
when Robert Clifford was appointed first Lord Clifford of Skipton
and Guardian of Craven, the wide tract of countryside to the north
and west of Skipton.

This castle is of special note because it withstood a 3 year
siege during the Civil War. After a war, a surrender was negotiated
in 1645 and Oliver Cromwell ordered the removal of the Castle roofs.
Skipton remained the Clifford's principal seat until 1676.

http://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/3dmap.htm

Hi SherwoodSpirit
There is a great Yew Tree in the Conduit Court.
http://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/about.htm



*** River Castles ***


The Tower of London

Castle building was an essential part of the Norman Conquest. Following
Duke William of Normandy´s invasion of England in 1066, he and
his supporters began building hundreds of castles, first to conquer,
then subdue and finally to colonise the whole of England. These
fortifications included the White Tower, the future Tower of London,
one of the most fearsome castles of all.

Between 1190 and 1285 the White Tower was encircled by two towered
curtain walls and a great moat. This was followed in the 14th century by

the construction of the Wharf. During this period the Tower provided
the monarchy with a place of refuge. In 1381, for example,
the Peasants´ Revolt forced the 14-year-old King Richard II to
shelter in the Tower with his family and household while
over 10,000 rebels plundered and burnt the capital for two days.

Following the Reformation (when Henry VIII broke with
the Church in Rome), the Tower took on an expanded role as
the home for a large number of religious and political prisoners.
These included such illustrious figures as Sir Thomas More,
Thomas Cromwell, two of Henry VIII´s wives: Anne Boleyn and
Catherine Howard, and his daughter, Princess Elizabeth (the future
Queen Elizabeth I).

The Tower of London was seized from the monarchy during
the Civil War (1642-9) and remained in the hands of
the parliamentarians until the restoration of the monarchy
in 1660. The reign of Charles II saw changes in the functions
of the Tower. Its role as a state prison declined and
the Office of Ordnance (which provided military supplies
and equipment) took over responsibility for most of the castle.

Between 1800 and 1900 the Tower of London took on
the appearance which to a large extent it retains today.
During the 19th century the Tower attracted the attention of
a series of architects and antiquarians who set out to restore
it to its medieval appearance. This programme of work, involved
the demolition of a series of 17th and 18th century Ordnance buildings
and barracks and a number of private taverns and inns within
the castle walls.

The First World War (1914-18) left the Tower largely untouched;
the only bomb to fall on the fortress landed in the Moat. However,
the war brought the Tower of London back into use as a prison for
the first time since the early 19th century and between 1914-16
eleven spies were held and subsequently executed in the Tower.
The last execution in the Tower took place in 1941 during
the Second World War (1939-45). Bomb damage to the Tower
during the Second World War was much greater: a number of buildings
were severely damaged or destroyed including the mid-19th century
North Bastion, which received a direct hit on 5 October 1940,
and the Hospital Block which was partly destroyed during an air raid
in the same year. Incendiaries also destroyed the Main Guard,
a late 19th-century building to the south-west of the White Tower.

During the Second World War the Tower was closed to the public.
The Moat, which had been drained and filled in 1843, was used
as allotments for vegetable growing and the Crown Jewels were
removed from the Tower and taken to a place of safety,
the location of which has never been disclosed.

I feel an interesting but often overlooked part of the Crown Jewels
are the Swords of Justice. A great Legend behind them!
King Henry VIII's Foot Armour in the Royal Armouries is cool too.

The ultimate castle keep of the Kingdom & Empire!
This is the castle you start building a Capital & a Country from!

http://www.hrp.org.uk
http://www.armouries.org.uk


= Durham Cathedral & Castle

The Site

In 995 A.D after years of wandering the north, the carriers of
St Cuthbert’s coffin came to a halt at a hill called Warden Law,
the site of an Iron Age fort near Hetton to the east of Durham.
Here the vehicle on which the coffin was transported came to
stand still and despite the efforts of the whole congregation
of followers who tried to push, the coffin would not move.
Aldhun Bishop of Chester-le-Street, the leader of the
congregation, committed the monks to three days of fasting and
prayer in order to learn the reason why the coffin would
not move. After a period of intense meditation their prayers
were finally answered when St Cuthbert appeared in a vision to
a monk called EADMER. St Cuthbert instructed Eadmer that the
coffin should be taken to a place called DUN HOLM.
The monks had not heard of Dun Holm, but may have been aware
that its name meant HILL ISLAND. Dun was an Anglo-Saxon word
meaning `hill’, Holm meaning island is a word of Scandinavian
origin. Dun Holm was later called DURESME by the Normans and
was known in Latin as DUNELM. Over the years the name has been
simplified to the modern form - DURHAM.

Durham Cathedral

Durham's Cathedral Church of Christ and Blessed Mary the Virgin
is the last resting place of: St Cuthbert - the greatest of
the early English saints; St Bede - the finest scholar of his age;
and the head of St Oswald - the warrior king and martyr. In addition,
it was for centuries both home for a community of Benedictine monks
and seat of the mighty Prince Bishops of Durham.

Durham Castle

Close by the Cathedral is Durham Castle. King William the Conqueror
ordered its construction in 1072, shortly after the Norman Conquest.
Even today, the Castle still visually betrays its origins - a dramatic
example of a typical Norman motte and bailey fortification. The first
purpose of the Castle was, undoubtedly, to help pacify the rebellious
Saxon population of the North of England. During the early medieval
period, however, it developed into a strategic bulwark in the defence
of the border with Scotland.

As the threat from the Scots receded, the Castle evolved into an
impressive yet comfortable palace for Durham's all-powerful
Prince Bishops. Then, in 1837, it was handed over for the use of
the newly-founded University of Durham. At first, the Castle contained
the entire University. Soon, though, the rapidly-expanding University
needed more space. So finally, Durham Castle became
University College, Durham.

http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dla0www/c_tour/castle.html
http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dla0www/c_tour/peninsula.html


= Richmond Castle(North Yorkshire)

Before the arrival of the Normans there had been no fortification on the

site of Richmond Castle the previous Saxon owner of the land, Edwin,
Earl of Mercia, using Gilling as his base.

Richmond grew up under the protection of the castle, but the civilian
inhabitants lived outside the present market place, which was then the
outer bailey of the castle. When, in the early 14th century Scottish
raids posed a serious threat, Richmond gained permission to build
[Castle Plan] a defensive wall around the bailey into which the
civilians moved.

Only two stone built castles in England are equal in age to Richmond
Castle. They are at Colchester and Durham.

The best preserved part of the castle is the Keep which towers over 100
feet above the town; the walls are actually eleven feet thick. The Keep
was a 12th century addition to the castle and was built over the
original gate-house.

http://www.richmond.org.uk/guide/castle/castle.html



*** Downs Castles ***


Lincoln Castle & Cathedral

The Site

100BC Iron age settlement around Brayford Pool. Known as "Lindon" the
      'place by the pool'
AD54-60  Invading Roman army establishes a military garrison and
      latinises name to "Lindum"
AD90  Roman City receives 'Colonia' status ("Lindum Colonia" being the
      derivation of the modern name "Lincoln")
circa 300  Lincoln becomes a major centre. Capitol of the Roman province

      covering most of eastern England
circa 500  The Romans have gone, Lincoln is part of the Anglo Saxon
      kingdom of "Lindsey"
circa 850  Invading Vikings have established Lincoln as one of the 5
      principle 'burghs' of the Danelaw
1068  Two years after the Battle of Hastings William the Conqueror's
      army establishes a fortress: the Castle
1072  Contruction starts on the Norman Cathedral
1121  Fossdyke cleared to improve trade
1141  Cathedral damaged by fire
1141  Stephen and Matilda fight the Battle of Lincoln
1157  Henry II grants a charter and has a residence in the city
1185  City badly damaged by earthquake
1326  Award of wool staple brings temporary prosperity
Mid 1300's  City population ravaged by Black Death
1369  City in decline as wool staple moves to Boston
1644-48  Further destruction during Civil War

Lincoln Cathedral

A truly inspiring and majestic building, commenced in 1072, but largely
rebuilt in the 12th and 13th Centuries in English Gothic style.

The vast nave with its limestone and marble columns, vaulted roof, and
colourful stained glass windows is an exhilarating sight.

Lincoln Castle

Sharing the Cathedral's hilltop setting is Lincoln Castle. Built on the
site of the former Roman fortress, this defensive stronghold has long
been the centre of the City's judicial and penal systems.

The Castle at Lincoln was one of the first great castles to be built by
William The Conqueror. He started it in 1068, using the hilltop site
that the Romans occupied with their first fortress and early settlement.

The crown court still sits here, upholding the principals of justice
established by Magna Carta, and Lincoln's original copy of this famous
document, sealed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, is the centrepiece
of a special exhibition.

Note: One of Four surviving original copies (out of about 40, one for
each of the counties + a few for the King, Royal Archives etc
in London)

Note: The castle has two Keep/Mottes in it walls, this is rare.

This is an administrative castle, great for a provincial capital.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/interactive/wallpaper/lincoln_castle_800.html




*** Special Castles ***


= Clifford's Tower (York Castle)

Clifford's Tower is all the remains of York Castle. It's a Keep
set on a motte (mound). Of special note is the towers layout,
it is a clover leaf floor plan. It's very rare, the only one in the UK,
and only a one or two exist elsewhere. It was rebuilt in
the 13th century but later gutted by fire during the Civil War.
It sits at the junction of the River Ouse & River Foss.

The Castle is called Clifford's Tower because of Roger De Clifford
who was hanged here following the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322

I have not included it under River Castles because so little of
the castle has survived



* The Clifford Family *

After Robert de Clifford was granted the Honour and Castle of Skipton by

Edward II in March 1310, Skipton Castle became the principal seat of
this great fighting family, whose vast estates made them the most
powerful Lords of the North of England for over 350 years, active and
influential both at local & national level.

Below are some details of a few of the more important Cliffords.

Robert Clifford, 1st Lord of Skipton
One of Edward I's most distinguished soldiers and administrators. He
held the office of Marshall of England.He was killed at the
battle of Bannockburn in 1314

Roger Clifford, 2nd Lord of Skipton
He was involved in a rebellion against King Edward I's favourite Huge
Lord de Despencer, and ultimately against the King him self. The rebel
forces were brought to battle by the King's forces in Boroughbridge in
March 1322 at which Roger Clifford received severe wounds. Forced to
surrender, he was condemned to death and held captive in York.
Reprieved, probably because of his wounds, he survived until 1326. His
estates were forfeited, including Skipton castle. They were restored to
Robert, 3rd Lord of Skipton in 1327.

John Clifford, 7th Lord of Skipton
A fine soldier who fought for Henry V in France. He took part in the
siege of Harfleur and fought at Agincourt in 1415. He also took part in
the siege of Cherbourg and received its surrender. He was rewarded for
his service to the king by creating a Knight of the Order of the Garter.

He was killed at the siege of Meaux in 1422.

Thomas Clifford, 8th Lord of Skipton
He was killed at the battle of St Albans, the first battle of
the War of the Roses in 1455. Thomas Clifford and the Lancastrians
were beaten by forces led by the Duke of York and Richard Neville, Earl
of Warwick.

John Clifford `The Butcher`,9th Lord of Skipton.
He was determined to avenge his fathers death. The Duke of York was
killed in the battle of Wakefield in 1460.

Knighted on the battlefield as a reward for the death of so many men.
He is reputed to have cut of York's head and put it on the gates of
York. He is also said to of killed York's teenage son, Edmund,
Earl of Rutland, in cold blood after he had surrendered thus earning
the nickname "Butcher". He was killed at the battle of Towton in 1461.

Henry Clifford, 10th Lord Of Skipton
For fear of Yorkist reprisals, The young Henry was entrusted to the care

of the sheperd's family near Londesborough, Hence his title "The
Shepherd lord". After the battle of Bosworth , Henry is restored "in
blood and honours". He was one of the chief commanders in the battle of
Flodden against the Scots in 1513

Henry Clifford, 11th Lord Of Skipton and 1st Earl Of Cumberland
A close Friend of Henry VIII, Known for his extravagant lifestyle. He
was active in border warfare against the Scots and defended Skipton
Castle in the name of king during the pilgrimage of grace in 1536. He
was created Knight of the order of the carter. His son Henry married
lady Eleanor Brandon, the King's niece.

George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland.
The most flamboyant member of the Clifford family, an entravagant
courtier and naval adventurer. He was an accomplished jouster - the
Queen's Champion. He was a distinguished Admiral who played an important

part in the destruction of the Spanish Armada and was first Governor of
the East India Company.

Lady Margaret Russell, Countess of Cumberland
Married in 1577 to George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland in the
presence
of Queen Elizabeth I, she was distinguished by resolute efforts to
obtain
for her daughter her rightful inheritance. Deeply interested in alchemy
she discovered many excellent medicines.

Lady Anne Clifford
One of the most famous members of the Clifford family, Lady Anne is
celebrated for her diary and her tireless restoration of her properties,

badly damaged in the Civil War.



* The Prince Bishop of Durham *

The first Norman kings realised that because it was so remote from their

power based in the South the North-East of England was particularly
vulnerable
both to rebellion by the local Saxon population and to invasion by
the armies of Scotland. Shortly after the Norman Conquest therefore
William the Conqueror appointed Bishop Walcher of Durham (1071-1081)
Earl-Bishop of Northumbria. This appointment concentrated both secular
and
spiritual power over the whole of the North-East of England in the
hands of one person.

Following Walcher's murder by an angry mob in Gateshead in 1081 the king

decided to continue with this policy but in a more limited way. So he
elevated
Bishop Carileph (1081-1096) - and subsequent bishops - to the rank of
Prince Bishop giving them vice-regal power over an area that became
known as the Palatinate of Durham. The Palatinate covered much of the
modern
counties of Cleveland, Durham and Tyne & Wear together with parts of the

county of Northumberland. The secular power the Prince Bishops is
well symbolised by the illuminated initial from the bible of
Bishop Pudsey (1153-1195).

A century later - boasting of the power of his master - the steward of
Bishop Bek (1284-1310) claimed:

"There are two kings in England namely the Lord King of England wearing
a crown
in sign of his regality and the Lord Bishop of Durham wearing a mitre in
place
of a crown in sign of his regality in the diocese of Durham."

This was no idle boast however. The Prince Bishops had the similar royal
powers
within the Palatinate to those that the King exercised in other parts of
his Kingdom.
Not only did they have their own Parliament - Durham sent no
representatives
to London - but also they could raise their own armies levy their own
taxes,
mint their own coins and set up their own court system. At the high
point of
their powers the Prince Bishops could even enter into negotiations
directly
with the Kings of Scotland create their own barons and regulate commerce

by granting charters for markets and fairs.

Bishop Van Mildert (1826-36) - the last of the Prince-Bishops - was
involved in
founding the University of Durham in 1832. Durham Castle which had
always been
the principal stronghold and palace of the Prince-Bishops was handed
over in
1837 to provide a home for this fledgling institution. Since then the
main seat of the
Bishops of Durham has been at Auckland Castle just a few miles south of
Durham.

It was only with the death of Bishop Van Mildert in 1836 that the
secular powers of
the Bishops of Durham were finally surrendered to the King.
Interestingly though
the Palatinate court system survived for almost another century and a
half.
Not until 1971 was the system finally merged into the English court
structure
- exactly 900 years after William the Conqueror appointed Bishop Walcher

Earl-Bishop of Northumbria!

Sort of 'The Prince of the West' with spiritual power too, but over a
smaller percentage area. Well you need to do this sort of thing when the
king is in far off
London/Rillanon and your in change of Durham/Krondor and the wild
north/west!