Greenhalgh Castle

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Greenhalgh Castle is a castle, now ruined, near the town of Garstang in Lancashire, England, grid reference SD500451.

It was built in 1490 by Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, in order to defend his estates around Garstang.

The land on which the castle was built is said to be a gift to Stanley from his step-son Henry Tudor for his assistance in defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

During the English Civil War the castle was garrisoned by James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby in support of Charles I. It was one of the last two Royalist strongholds in Lancashire to succumb following a bitter siege during 1644/45 by Oliver Cromwell's forces. The garrison at Greenhalgh Castle eventually surrendered in May 1645 on the condition that they were given safe conduct to return home unharmed. After the surrender, the castle was partially demolished so as to be incapable of further military use. The ruins have continued to deteriorate until today, with only the lower portion of one of the four towers still standing. Many of the local farmhouses have incorporated the stones from the castle ruins into their buildings.

There is currently no public access to the ruins of the castle although visitors can view the ruins from Castle Lane or the riverside path.

[edit] References

• Collinson, E. Greenhalgh Castle, Garstang and The Earls of Derby
• "Greenhalgh Castle History". Accessed May 15, 2008.