Brougham Castle

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Brougham Castle near the confluence of the River Eamont and River Lowther, 2004

Brougham Castle is about 2 miles to the south-east of Penrith, Cumbria (grid reference NY537290).

This castle was built in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont (Vipont), near the site of a Roman fort guarding the crossing of the River Eamont. By 1268 the castle had passed to the Clifford family. Robert Clifford was an important figure in the Scottish wars which started in 1296, and he carried out much work at Brougham to stregthen the defences, as did his successors.

However the building was in poor condition by the time of the Civil War. In 1643 Lady Anne Clifford inherited the estate and she restored Brougham Castle as a residence. She died there in 1676 and it became the property of the Earl of Thanet. He did not want all the castles he inherited and chose to concentrate on his castle at Appleby. Brougham Castle then quickly fell into ruin.