 Chillingham Castle, Northumberland
In the 13th century Chillingham Castle in Northumberland existed
as little more than a tower, but just 100 years later it was granted
a Royal Licence to crenellate. It was duly strengthened and transformed
to provide the usual domestic accommodation, and a stone wall was erected
for protection. This was the beginning of the fortress that has, quite
remarkably, survived to become an inhabited family home today.
Subjected to several 16th century battles, Chillingham Castle was further strengthened and rebuilt in
parts to make it less vulnerable to attack. By the end of the century,
the entrance to Chillingham Castle was transferred to the north curtain wall,
and the southern part of the courtyard was rebuilt with decorative pillars.
Further alterations were carried out in the 18th century,
providing a central stairway from the courtyard to the upper level of
the castle, and the east range was completely remodelled. The last major
works at Chillingham Castle were carried out around the middle of the
19th century when a new service wing was constructed, and
the castle grounds were laid out, including the creation of the Italian garden.
After 1933 Chillingham Castle stood decaying and neglected until Sir Humphrey Wakefield and Lady Mary Grey
took over the estate and began the enormous task of restoring it back
to the ancestral home of the Grey family. Having first secured Chillingham
Castle in 1246, the Greys are no doubt proud of the fact that they are
once again connected with such a significant part of their ancestral history.
It is an absolute delight to go rummaging around in rooms filled with a cosy disorder of possessions,
furniture and ancient documents, and to see bits of exposed walls and
beams from earlier building work. There are no frills at Chillingham Castle -
it is very much a place showing the onerous and costly work involved in
restoring a property over 700 years old - but its charm is bewitching.
There are, apparently, plenty of thrills though, and some of these can
be uncovered in 'The Ghosts of Chillingham Castle' booklet. |
