Helmsley Castle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Helmsley Castle is a medieval castle situated in the market town of Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

The castle was first constructed in the 12th century by Walter l'Espec and rebuilt in around 1200 by Rober de Roos.

During the English Civil War, the castle was besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1644. Sir Jordan Crosland held it for the King for three months before surrendering on November 22. It was afterward dismantled, but later repaired as the home of George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham.

In 1687 the castle was bought by Sir Charles Duncombe, a goldsmith from London, but his nephew Charles abandoned the castle to ruin, instead hiring Sir John Vanbrugh to build a new stately home at Duncombe Park overlooking the castle.

Helmsley Castle - Photograph & Information