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Bolton Castle, Yorkshire

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Bolton Castle, built by Richard le Scrope, was completed by 1399. Bolton Castle has never been sold, and remains the property of Lord Bolton, descendant of Richard le Scrope.

Bolton Castle has been closely linked to the great formative events of northern England. In 1415 Henry, 3rd Lord Scrope plotted a rebellion against Henry V. Scrope was executed not long before the English army embarked on the French campaign that would culminate in the Battle of Agincourt. This incident is mentioned in Shakespeare's play Henry V. Sir John Scrope, the 8th Lord Scrope, was involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536. This was the north's rebellion against Henry VIII's effort to convert England from Catholicism to Protestantism. Sir John initially refused to join the rising. Non involvement, however, wasn't an option, and if you weren't with the rebels you were assumed to be against them. Scrope took refuge with his father-in-law the Earl of Cumberland at Skipton Castle. The rebels besieged Skipton,and Scrope was finally forced to join them. Later, when the rebellion failed, rebel leader Adam Sedberg sought refuge at Bolton Castle, before fleeing to Witton Fell where he was captured.

Sir Henry Scrope, the 9th Lord, had to supervise the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots at Bolton Castle, following her defeat at the battle of Langside in April 1568. Mary stayed at the castle for six months before being transferred to Carlisle.

The following year north east England was convulsed by the rising of the northern earls. Once again this was an attempt by the Catholic north to impose its will on the Protestant south. The plan was to marry Mary Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk and ensure a Catholic succession. Sir Henry Scrope was a Catholic, but he was completely loyal to Queen Elizabeth I, and was given the job of arresting the conspirators, which he managed to do successfully. The rising was put down with great ferocity. Four hundred people were executed, and the economy of the north was devastated by huge fines. Recovery for the region took two hundred years.

Several castles including Bolton Castle were used as locations for the film Elizabeth.

 

Bolton Castle is open all the year round. Displays over five floors depict life in the fifteenth century. There is a fifteenth century garden based on original plans. The site includes a tearoom and shop.

Opening Times: The castle is open from 27th March until 30th October, 11am to 5pm, last admission 4.15pm. Open daily.

The castle closes at 2pm on 19th June, 3rd July, 10th July, 17th July, 24th July, 31st July, 28th August, 4th September, 11th September and 29th, 15th and 8th October.

Please ring ahead if bringing a large school party.

Address: Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET

Directions: The castle can be found off the A684 near Leyburn on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in north Yorkshire. Click here for an interactive map centred on Bolton Castle.

Access: Wheelchair access is limited to some areas on the lower floor.

Contact:

telephone:01969 623981

fax: 01969 623332

e-mail: info@boltoncastle.co.uk

web site: www.boltoncastle.co.uk

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