Bolingbroke Castle, England

The present structure of Bolingbroke Castle was founded by Ranulf, Earl of Chester, in 1220 shortly after he returned from the Fifth Crusade. Ranulf died in 1232 and his titles, lands and castles passed to his sisters. By 1311 Bolingbroke had passed, through marriage, into the ownership of John of Gaunt and the House of Lancaster.

In 1366, Henry IV, John's son, was born at Bolingbroke. Two years later Henry's mother died from plague at the castle. By the 15th and 16th century, the castle had fallen into disrepair although repairs were carried out during the Tudor period. In 1636 it was found that all of the towers were effectively beyond repair.

During the Civil War (1642–8), the castle became a defensible base for a Royalist garrison and was besieged by Parliamentarian forces in 1643. It was badly damaged in a siege during the Battle of Winceby. A year later, the castle was recaptured from the Parliamentarians but relinquished again. In 1652 the castle was "slighted" to prevent any further use. The towers and walls were torn down and dumped into the moat.The last major structure collapsed in 1815.

The castle, which is now a national monument, was excavated in the 1960s and 1970s. The lower walls are still visible as are the ground floors of the towers. In the summertime, the castle is home to numerous events including performances of Shakespeare.

(Photographs courtesy of Trish and Chris Seymour.)

Opening Times

Any reasonable time.

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Ticket Prices

Admission is Free.

Disabled Facilities

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