Skipton Castle, January 2005

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Sometime after 1090 Robert de Romille, a Norman baron, built a timber fort here, but it didn't stop Scottish raids, and it was replaced with a stone castle. It was granted to the Clifford family by Edward II in 1310, it was their primary seat until 1676, but it is still owned by the Cliffords. Skipton is one of those few castles that have never been taken, though it was demolished by order of Parliment, then rebuilt by Lady Clifford in 1657.

skiptonjan05000.jpg 179.84 KB Gatehouse of Skipton Castle.	skiptonjan05001.jpg 161.18 KB 12th century chapel on the castle grounds. It is dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. The last recorded use was in 1637.	skiptonjan05003.jpg 110.70 KB Skipton Castle, including part of the residential area, which is closed to the public. The tower on the left is one of two dating from Norman times.
skiptonjan05004.jpg 80.31 KB Probably restored window in the chapel.	skiptonjan05005.jpg 79.03 KB One of the few remaining parts of the Norman fort, and was the original entrance to the Norman castle.	skiptonjan05006.jpg 124.18 KB The Conduit Court. The yew tree that dominates this court was planted by Lady Clifford in, I think, sometimes in the 1650s.
skiptonjan05007.jpg 205.21 KB The arms of John Clifford, 9th Lord of Skipton (d. 1461), know as "the Butcher".	skiptonjan05008.jpg 223.31 KB Another view of the Conduit Court.	skiptonjan05009.jpg 131.23 KB The banqueting hall. This was the social center of the castle, used for dining, entertainment, and business.
skiptonjan05010.jpg 109.65 KB View out of a tower window over the main gates, toward Skipton.	Sun, 30-Oct-2005 2:08 PMght="256" valign="middle" align="center"> skiptonjan05011.jpg 160.43 KB A small charcoal stove in the "new kitchen", built early int he 16th century, that probably was moved from the old kitchen. it was an economical and smoke-free alternative to firewood.	skiptonjan05012.jpg 94.68 KB Another view of the original Norman gateway. A study of the doorway shows that there were double doors here, and that generally only one was open: look at the floor and you'll see a rather large dip where many, many feet have worn down the stone.
skiptonjan05013.jpg 155.65 KB The two oldest Norman towers. The taller one was enlarged by Lady Clifton.	skiptonjan05014.jpg 169.97 KB Wider view of the entrance.	skiptonjan05015.jpg 190.66 KB The footpath that runs behind Skipton Castle, along the canal that used to serve the castle. A tree has fallen across the canal and path, probably from the strong winds we've been having this winter.
skiptonjan05016.jpg 165.15 KB Waterfall along the footpath. A stream runs along one side of the path, and a canal along the other side - this is the stream.	skiptonjan05017.jpg 186.60 KB Backside of Skipton Castle. Coupled with the strong walls and gatehouse, it's no wonder this castle has never been taken by force.	skiptonjan05018.jpg 176.82 KB Looking up at a garderobe (toilet). Can't help think that it would take a brave person to sit on one of those holes on a windy, cold, winter's day!