Pickering Castle

August 5, 2024 danmoorhouse

Pickering Castle was held by the crown at the start of the Wars of the Roses and had strong Lancastrian links, having been modified and improved in the 14th century to be a residence for Countess Alice of Lancaster. Pickering was also used by Henry IV to hold Richard II prior to his transfer to Pontefract. The castle escaped any damage in either the Wars of the Roses or the English Civil Wars.

Origins of Pickering Castle

Pickering Castle was first built as a Motte and Bailey structure. It would initially have been a timber construction, with stone replacing the wooden walls at a later date. The castle originates from the period of the harrying of the north with construction thought to have started either during the suppression of the region or shortly afterwards. Given that Pickering is sited in a dominant location within the area that William Conqueror had crushed opposition, its strategic and military importance as a site is clear. The castle acted as a regional hub for commerce, justice, and as a deterrent to any would be rebels. Pickering fulfilled some of these roles beyond the Medieval era, its Moot Hall being a court into the 17th century, for example.

Stone Castle

The precise dates of the woode structure being replaced by a Stone Castle are unclear. It appears that the work was completed by the end of the reign of King Henry I though. Pickering is one of only 60 Motte and Bailey Castles where a stone Shell Keep replaced a previous timber castle [out of some 600+ timber Motte and Bailey castles]. This gives an indication as to the importance of the site to the crown. The Shell Keep provided accomodation for the garrison along with domestic buildings. At around the same period the timber walls of the bailey would have been replaced with the stronger stone walls. At Pickering this sees a Stone Keep on the Motte that had a dry moat. Two walls connect the inner bailey to the keep. These walls incorporate towers and provided security for the various buildings within the inner keep. A wider outer bailey was also surrounded by stone walls with additional ditches, drawbridges, and towers providing further defensive strength to the site. Within the outer bailey were buildings such as stables, stores, and other buildings required for the day to day functionality of an administrative and military centre.

Siege of Pickering?

There is archaeological evidence to suggest that a Siege Castle was constructed adjacent to Pickering Castle during the Anarchy. A Siege Castle is a hastily constructed structure similar to a Motte and Bailey. They were used by besieging forces for protection and to gain elevation for siege engines. There is no documentary evidence of such a siege having taken part at Pickering during the anarchy, though there were clashes in the area between William Albemarle, Earl of York and Alan, Earl of Richmond. However, documents do exist showing that the castle required repairs in 1220. This suggests that the castle at Pickering may have been besieged by supporters of Louis of France during the Barons War of 1216-17.

Development of the Castle

The Stone Keep as we see it today dates to the early 13th century. It was built on top of the site as it would have been during the Anarchy and Barons War, possibly under reconstruction during the latter conflict.

Duchy of Lancaster

In 1267 Pickering Castle was granted to Prince Edmund, a son of King Henry III, who was created Earl of Lancaster. From this point on, the castle remained part of the estate of the Earls then Dukes of Lancaster, being held as a property of the Duchy of Lancaster from its creation in 1351. The castle is under the guardianship of English Heritage today but retains its links to the Duchy of Lancaster.

Countess Alice, wife of Earl Thomas of Lancaster

In the 14th century a ‘New Hall’ was added within the Western section of the castle complex. This was specifically to provide comfortable and safe accomodation for Countess Alice, wife of the Earl of Lancaster. This hall has had some additions in the years that followed. The upper floor was a plastered, elaborately decorated Solar. This provided the comfort required for the Countess. The lower floor later became used as a courtroom, leading to the New Hall often being referred to as Moot Hall. Under Edward II’s direction all of the bailey walls were converted to stone and/ or reinforced in the 1320’s, which is the last major revision to buildings on the site.

Functions of Pickering Castle

Clearly the castle had important defensive duties and acted as a regional centre for justice. It had other functions though. Around the castle a deer park was established. This provided for the crown, and would have impacted upo the type of agricultural work undertaken within the estates surrounding the castle.

King Richard II

When Henry Bolingbroke took his cousin, Richard II, into captivity he was sent to Pickering Castle. The castle was in a region dominated by men loyal to Henry and it served as a short term jail for the ousted King Richard II until he was transferred to the larger and more secure royal castle at Pontefract, where he died in captivity.

Video Tour of Pickering Castle