castle royal castle grid reference rocky sandstone feet built 6th earl chester return took ownership kept good repair 16th century considered military use pressed service english civil war castle partly demolished accordance destruction order prevent use stronghold 18th century site quarry rumoured treasure belonging lies castle grounds searches carried failed find trace castle ruins walls outer bailey walls gatehouse inner bailey separately recorded designated grade listed buildings castle scheduled ancient monument owned english_heritage chain rocky hills stretching pits dating 4th millennium indicate site castle inhabited communal gathering place period archaeologists discovered flint arrow heads remains community iron age hill fort associated bronze age activity dated seven circular buildings identified late early iron age origin specialist site design built 6th earl chester stronghold symbol power castle outer bailey walls chosen advantage fortifications remaining earlier medieval documents castle described castle rock major castles built shortly return fifth crusade lincolnshire share similar architectural features particular design towers unlike castles period line defence instead natural features land massive walls strong carefully positioned towers stronghold defences consisted parts firstly rectangular castle summit hill sheer drop sides defensive ditch feet deep places cut rock fourth secondly outer bailey built lower slopes massive gatehouse protected feet wide feet deep ditch outer bailey roughly rectangular feet thick walls faced sandstone rubble walls parts remain contain number shaped towers innovation english castles time towers allowed defenders fire walls forwards open backed design meant offer cover attackers gained access outer bailey inner bailey situated rocky summit western end provide castle inhabitants supply fresh water wells dug rock feet deep deepest castle wells england royal castle defences place time death living quarters death successor john john died male heir allowing king henry enlarged castle wars wales prison welsh captives attempt equip castle permanent residence halls chambers garrisons probably housed wooden structures outer bailey henry gave lands son prince edward gave title earl chester prince title conferred heir throne england edward crowned king england completed conquest wales middle 14th century references men royal castle constable probably lived near gatehouse described account castle describes strong gatehouse strong wall buildings flourished convenient great kept good repair improved edward reign 14th century 16th century castle considered use english crown sold sir hall persistent rumours treasure hidden castle grounds richard supposed hidden personal wealth journey chester boarding ship ireland suppress rebellion return richard deposed henry duke lancaster future treasure said remained searches carried focusing deep inner bailey found hidden treasure founded recorded having recovered richard gold jewellery hiding places civil war english civil war neglected castles pressed service seized february parliamentary forces commanded sir walls repaired cleaned royal army ireland landed chester december captain soldiers army night possibly aided surprised castle governor captain shaken event surrendered promise allowed march castle honours tried shot failure hold castle survived siege parliamentary forces november november lack food forced surrender castle partially demolished prevent use stronghold later history carried castle grounds 18th century gatehouse leading outer bailey demolished build track stones removed site castle purchased 1st baron time largest landowner larger estate mid-19th century castle site annual day raising money local attracting visitors day present day castle owned english_heritage ruins walls towers place provide clear picture looked prime open visitors small museum visitor centre lodge house built 19th century expanded 20th century lodge storeys high circular towers central designated grade listed building offers spectacular views castle england stretching counties east west
Beeston Castle