Tournament at Smithfield
On 11 June 1467 a Tournament at Smithfield was held. The highlight was a bout between Anthony Rivers and ‘The Bastard of Burgundy’. As part of the marriage negotiations between the court of Edward IV and…
Edward IV’s Southern Progress, 1461
On 23 August 1461, King Edward IV visited Lewes and East Meon in Hampshire as part of a determined effort to be seen in public. He listened to complaints and recommended raising some issues as petitions…
Castle Bolton, Wensleydale and the Scrope Family
Castle Bolton is situated in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. The castle was constructed between 1378 and 1399 by Richard, 1st Baron Scrope. As tension mounted in the 1440s and 1450s the Scrope Barons of Bolton were…
Raby Castle and the Neville Family
Raby Castle is located in County Durham in the North East of England. With a history dating to the reign of King Cnut (Canute), it is strongly linked to the Neville and Vane families. The…
Hull
Kingston upon Hull was founded in the 12th century by King Edward I. The site was purchased and developed into a port based on the successes of Meaux Abbey, to the north of the site…
Sandal Castle
Sandal Castle is located on the outkirts of Wakefield in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The Castle was held by Richard 3rd Duke of York. It was to Sandal that the Duke travelled in December…
Ripley Castle and the Ingleby family
The Manor of Ripley came under the control of the Ingleby family through marriage in 1308/9. It has remained in the families possession ever since. At the time of Sir Thomas Ingleby taking possession, Ripley…
Helmsley Castle
Helmsley can be found in North Yorkshire, on the road between Thirsk and Kirby Moorside. Helmsley was an important location. It was granted to Robert de Mortain, a half-brother of William the Conqueror. A castle…
Richmond, North Yorkshire
Richmond in North Yorkshire was an ‘honour’ that incorporated Richmond Castle. The Castle’s origins are not entirely clear but it is widely thought that construction was begun by Count Alan Rufus of Penthièvre c1070. By…
Spofforth Castle
Spofforth Castle is located in North Yorkshire, on the route between Wetherby and Harrogate. The castle was held by the Percy Earls of Northumberland and was for many years their main residence. A castle in…