 Castle Rushen
Dominating the old capital of the Isle of Man is the magnificent Castle Rushen, one of
the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. Throughout the turbulent history
of the island, Castle Rushen has stood as a constant reminder to the Manx people
of the power and dominance of the Kings and Lords of Mann. When the first
Vikings arrived, they may only have constructed a fortified enclosure to protect
the harbour entrance to Castletown but, before the end of the 11th century,
the island had become a dependency of Norway and successive Norse kings would
have begun building their fortress.
Certainly a substantial stone keep had been erected
some time before the end of the 12th century, and the last Viking King of Mann (Magnus) may
have extended this before his death in 1265. No longer under the rule of
Norway, the Isle of Mann became the unwilling victim of a wrangle between
the Scottish and English monarchs for many years. Castle Rushen was partly
destroyed when Robert the Bruce successfully captured it in 1313, but his
hold on the island was brief. Eventually England claimed the island, granting
the 'Lordship of Mann' to powerful noblemen. In the mid-14th
century, during Sir William de Montacute's time, Castle Rushen was
virtually rebuilt around the ruined core of the earlier keep. By the turn
of the century the central keep had been heightened, and extended with
a sturdy twin-towered inner gatehouse, and three tall rectangular towers
were added to the south, west and east walls of the keep. A more substantial
gatehouse was added at the northern section of the curtain, and a drawbridge
spanned the inner bailey.
In 1405 control of the island was passed to Sir John Stanley, who became
King of Mann and the Isles. Successive generations inherited the title
until the early 16th century, after which time they became Lords of
Mann. Development of Castle Rushen continued throughout this period, and was
finally completed with the creation of a paved sloping bank (glacis) and
outer wall encircling the moat during the reign of Henry VIII. This was
purely a military enhancement to ensure a more effective defence against
cannon fire. Few Kings or Lords actually spent much time at Castle Rushen
before the 16th century, it being largely inhabited by soldiers and
government officials. However, one of the main periods of occupation was
during the 17th century, and a fine range was built along the eastern
wall of the inner bailey (Derby House) to provide comfortable accommodation
for the Lord of Mann and his household.
When the Stanley family line ceased in 1736 (and
thereby their succession as Lords of Mann) the castle had already started
to decay, and was being used mainly as the island's prison. Throughout the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries, it was also used variously as an administrative centre,
a mint, and a court. By the early 20th century Lord Raglan had taken
an interest in Castle Rushen. He subsequently carried out a programme of
renovation in an attempt to consolidate the structure before handing responsibility
for the castle to the Manx Government.
Some sixty years later, Manx National Heritage transformed
Castle Rushen for visitors. Today, this imposing limestone structure recalls the complex
history of a proud island people with 'living displays' and
recreations of life during the Middle Ages. Inside Castle Rushen several important
chambers have been authentically furnished, there are murder holes to see,
prison cells and dungeons to explore, and several spiral staircases to
climb. Altogether a wonderful fortress, but just one of a number of pieces
that fit together to make up 'The Story of Mann'. It is well
worthwhile discovering the rest of the Manx heritage whilst visiting the island. |
