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RICHMOND CASTLE
NORMAN CONQUEST: ALAN RUFUS
William the Conqueror (r.1066–87) claimed victory
at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Normans had
conquered England and headed northwards to reassert
control of the North, sometimes by dispossessing the
Anglo
¯
Saxon lords of their lands. By the 1070s, the
Normans had control of Yorkshire (see Harrying of
the North, on p.11), including Hindrelag, which was
later known as Richmond.
When the Norman armies took control of lands, King
William usually gave these lands and estates to
his loyal knights. Their job was to protect the lands
in the name of the king. In 1071, King William gave
lands he had taken from the Anglo-Saxon Earl Edwin
of Mercia to his ally, Alan Rufus (d.1093). The estate was known as an ‘honour’, a group
of different properties that were all part of one estate. Richmond was at the centre of
Alan’s estate.
Below is a short history of Richmond Castle.
Use this information to learn how the site has
changed over time. You’ll find the definitions
of the key words in the Glossary.
HISTORICAL
INFORMATION
DISCOVER THE STORY OF
RICHMOND CASTLE
Alan Rufus
HARRYING OF THE NORTH
Although William had conquered England in 1066 and
proclaimed himself king, many people objected to his rule.
Rebellions happened all over the country, and some of the
biggest were in the north of England. In 1069, William marched
to York with his army to put down the rebellions through a
terrible campaign of destruction of people and land. His armies
laid waste to the countryside, burning the crops in farmers’
storehouses, destroying people’s homes and killing animals that
people relied on for food. This destruction became known as
the ‘Harrying of the North’. Harrying was a typical military
tactic for invading and suppressing rebellion in the 11th century
– the rebels were taken hostage, deported, left starving or murdered, and their land was
given to William’s supporters. When Domesday Book was published in 1086, 60% of the
land holdings in Yorkshire were described as ‘waste’, i.e. had been destroyed, abandoned
or uncultivated. Much of this waste is thought to have been caused by the Harrying of
the North. There were no more rebellions against Norman rule in the north of England
and William had replaced many of the Anglo-Saxon landowners with Norman ones.
11th CENTURY: THE FIRST CASTLE
Domesday Book, a list of many lands in England, and some in Wales, and who owned
them, records that Alan Rufus probably built a castle on his lands. This was probably
Richmond Castle, which Alan built as a place from which to manage his new estate and
protect the area from raids. Many Norman nobles built castles all over the country
for the same reason – castles were fortified homes for Norman lords, mainly for
administration. In sensitive areas they were built for defence. They were also symbols of
the power and wealth of the new Norman aristocracy.
The castle was built between 1071 and 1089.
Like most Norman castles, it was built with a
settlement attached. Castles needed many
people to keep them running, so they needed
somewhere to live. The castle and settlement
were designed together as a walled enclosure,
with a protective wall around both so the castle
could protect the settlement from attackers, but
also from thieves and wild animals, like wolves.
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William the Conqueror.
A reconstruction illustration of
Richmond Castle in the 11th century.
THE HONOUR OF RICHMOND
The honour that King William had granted to Alan Rufus
was enormous, and he couldn’t possibly have managed all the
lands on his own. Alan gave some of the lands of his honour
to his vassals, if they agreed to supply Alan with knights
when he needed them, for example, to help protect Richmond
Castle or if he went to war on behalf of the king. Each vassal
took it in turns to supply knights to defend Richmond Castle
for a fixed time period every year. These knights also
took on other roles at the castle, such as the constable,
chamberlain or steward.
The vassals’ responsibilities passed down through the next generations, creating a close
network of families who were involved in maintaining and protecting the honour. They then
built smaller castles and religious foundations (such as abbeys and priories) of their own.
12TH CENTURY: RICHMOND AND
BRITTANY
Richmond Castle and the estate passed down through Alan
Rufus’s brothers to his nephew, another Alan (c.1100–46),
the first Earl of Richmond. Alan married Bertha of Brittany
who was the heiress of Conan III, Duke of Brittany (d.1148),
and Bertha and Alan’s son became Conan IV (c.1135–71).
Conan IV controlled huge estates in both Brittany and at
Richmond and was very wealthy. He spent a lot of time
at Richmond in the 1150s and 1160s and was a generous
patron of the abbeys and priories connected with the honour, including Easby Abbey. It
is almost certain that Conan built the keep at Richmond Castle. The keep is just over
30 metres high and would have been an astonishing sight to medieval visitors. This great
tower was a clear symbol of the strength, power and wealth of the owner of the castle, but
it was not a defensive structure.
For Conan and his descendants, being both an earl in England and a duke in France
provided huge wealth but meant that you had to be loyal to both kings. This would cause
problems in the future when the kings fell out, and was very difficult when England and
France went to war…
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The east curtain wall.
Vassals were responsible for
protecting different sections
of the castle’s defences.
Conan IV.
KING HENRY TAKES CONTROL
Conan married Margaret, the sister of Malcolm IV,
King of Scotland, and their daughter, Constance
(c.1161–1201), was heiress to Richmond. When
Constance was just five years old, Conan agreed with
King Henry II (r.1154–89) to betroth Constance to
Henry’s fourth son, Geoffrey, for which King Henry
received control of Brittany.
When Conan died, Constance was just nine years
old, so Richmond Castle passed into the hands of
her future father-in-law, King Henry. During the
1170s and 1180s, Henry spent money on improving
Richmond Castle, probably updating Scolland’s Hall.
Constance and Geoffrey had a son, Arthur (1187–1203). Geoffrey died before Arthur
was born, so Richmond Castle and the honour passed to Constance, who managed the
estates under the watchful eye of King Henry. When Constance died in 1201, Arthur was
still a minor, so Richmond passed to her third husband, Guy of Thouars.
KING JOHN ORDERS A MURDER
Before Richard I (r.1189–99) died, he had named four-year-
old Arthur (his nephew) as heir to the throne. Richard’s
other brother, John (r.1199–1216), seized the throne and
captured Arthur along with his sister, Eleanor. In 1203,
Arthur was murdered, probably on the orders of King
John, and Eleanor was kept a prisoner for the rest of her
life. The next year, John took Richmond Castle and the
honour from Guy of Thouars.
Roald, the constable at Richmond Castle, rebelled twice
against King John’s rule. At first he refused to pay the tax
owed to the king, for which he was fined. Then in 1215, the entire north of England
revolted against King John, including Richmond, and Roald lost his position as constable
and he and his garrison were imprisoned in the castle for many months.
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Constance, heiress to Richmond Castle.
Roald and his garrison may have
been imprisoned in the keep.
13TH CENTURY: THE CASTLE CHANGES HANDS
After Arthur’s murder, his half-sister Alice (Guy
of Thouars’s daughter) inherited Richmond and
the honour. When she died in 1221, her husband
Peter I, Duke of Brittany ruled over Richmond
but his control of the castle and the honour was
continually challenged by the king of England.
By the middle of the 13th century, the king
had granted the estates to several of his royal
favourites in turn.
King John died in 1216 and Henry III (r.1216–72)
was crowned king of England. In 1266, Henry III gave Richmond Castle and the honour
back to Peter I’s son, John I, Duke of Brittany. The castle immediately passed to John’s
son, John II. In 1278, John came to an agreement with Egglestone Abbey to provide a
community of chaplains for the great chapel in the castle.
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The remains of the great chapel.
REPAIRS TO THE CASTLE AND
BUILDING THE TOWN WALLS
In 1294, England went to war with France. John II, as
Duke of Brittany, stayed loyal to the French king and
so Edward I (r.1272–1307) seized Richmond Castle.
Edward made repairs to the castle, including the vaults
in the ground floor of the keep. The castle also held
hostages from the war at this time.
Edward later invaded Scotland and John II’s younger son,
John of Brittany, helped his uncle Edward in the wars with
Scotland. As a reward, in 1306, Edward gave him back the
honour of Richmond. John probably built the walls that
enclose the centre of Richmond town. Edward had granted him murage for Richmond,
which earned John money to first build and then maintain the walls.
John’s nephew inherited Richmond Castle. He died childless in 1341 and the castle
passed to the Crown. The castle was by this time ‘badly in need of repair’ and Edward
III (r.1327–77) granted it to his son, John of Gaunt. The castle passed back to the Dukes
of Brittany one last time before finally returning to the English Crown under Henry IV
(r.1399–1413).
The vaults in the keep.
TUDOR WARS AND RICHMOND, SURREY
In 1452, Henry VI (r.1422–61) appointed his half-brother Edmund Tudor as Earl of
Richmond. During the struggles between English kings in the Wars of the Roses,
the castle and estate passed to the Yorkists Duke of Gloucester and Duke of Clarence.
Edmund’s son, Henry Tudor, the leader of the Lancastrian cause, inherited the earldom
from his father, but he was forced to live in exile in France. In 1485, he returned to
England at the head of an army and defeated Yorkist Richard III (r.1483–85) at the
Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485 and Henry took the throne as Henry VII
(r.1485–1509). Richmond now
belonged to the Crown’s estate.
In 1497, Henry VII’s palace at
Sheen in Surrey, on the river
Thames, burnt down. In 1498,
Henry built a new large, grand
palace in its place and called it
Richmond Palace, in honour of
the title Earl of Richmond he held
before acceding to the throne.
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An illustration of Richmond Palace.
VICTORIAN REVIVAL
In the 19th century, the castle was brought
back to life as the headquarters for the
North York Militia. To find out more about
the later history of Richmond Castle,
including the history of the Cell Block where
conscientious objectors were imprisoned
during the First World War, download our
Richmond Cell Block Teachers’ Kit on the
Richmond Castle Schools page:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/richmond-castle/schools
Since 1984, Richmond Castle and the Cell Block have been in the care of English Heritage.
THE CASTLE BECOMES A RUIN
Although the name of Richmond and the
earldom were seen as important, the castle
was used very little from the late 15th
century. In 1538, a report on the state of
the castle for the king describes a long list of
repairs needed and in 1540 it was described
as ‘in mere ruine’.
The castle was abandoned for the next 300
years, though the Chapel of St Nicholas
may have continued to be used briefly. It is
possible that some victims of the 1598 bubonic plague that hit Richmond were
buried here.
In 1675, Charles II (r.1660–85) made his illegitimate son Charles Lennox the Duke of
Richmond, giving him ownership of the castle. His descendants still own the castle today.
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By the 16th century, the castle was a ruin.
Graffiti by prisoners in Richmond Cell Block.
BACK TO
CONTENTS
KS3
SELF-LED ACTIVITY
JOIN THE HONOUR
SUMMARY
This activity will help students understand the meanings behind heraldic
shields and symbols, and some of the ways heraldic identity was
important in medieval times.
Introduce your group to the concept of vassal knights in the Historical
Information section in this kit on pages 10–16. Show them the image on
p.28 of the Register of the Honour of Richmond showing the banners
of vassal knights above sections of the castle’s defences.
From the 12th century, aristocratic families began to distinguish
themselves from each other through the creation of badges or logos.
Over time these became heraldic devices, for example a coat of arms
on a shield, a banner or a motto.
Heraldry, worn on the clothes of men, women, children and
servants, became like a brand or team name representing a
particular family.
Students can use the activity sheets on pages 29–31 to create their
own heraldic banner or coat of arms. Use our beginner’s online guide
for more images and ideas:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/guide-to-heraldry
Once the students have designed their heraldic devices, they can create
a shield or banner for displaying them. Show your class our short video
tutorial (1 min 54 secs) to guide them through making a shield:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/cardboard-shield
Recommended for
KS3 (History, Art, English)
Learning objectives
• Develop knowledge of
heraldic symbols and the
functions of heraldry in
medieval times.
• Understand the feudal
system, the granting of lands
by a Norman lord in return
for protection by knights, and
their role in the defence of
a castle.
Time to complete
60 minutes (plus 60 minutes
at the castle)
The modern Richmond coat of arms.
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RICHMOND CASTLE
Bring your coat of arms on your visit to Richmond Castle.
Students could choose an area of the castle that they would
like to protect and pose proudly with their banner or shield for
a photo. Why not use the photos to create your own honour
of Richmond display back in the classroom? Or create an
honour for your school?
Don’t forget to share your designs with us on Twitter
@EHEducation.
MORE LEARNING IDEAS
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An illustration of Richmond Castle in the late 12th–13th centuries, showing the banner and coat of
arms of each vassal knight above the section of the castle that they were responsible for protecting.
From the Register of the Honour of Richmond, c.1400. © British Library Cotton Faustina BVII ff.85v.
THE HONOUR OF RICHMOND
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Create a coat of arms that represents you. Follow these heraldic rules:
Azure Vert Sable Purpure
Or
(Gold)
Argent
(Silver)
Ermine
(Furs)
Vair
Gules
Cross
Balls
Star
Crescent
Ring
Diamond
HINT
Use our online
Beginner’s Guide
to Heraldry
to help you:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/
guide-to-heraldry
MAKE YOUR OWN COAT OF ARMS
BACKGROUND
The first step in making your
coat of arms.
1
Fess
Chevron
Chief
Pale
Cross
Bordure
Bend
Saltire
Pile
ORDINARY
A simple shape that goes over
the top of your background.
2
CHARGE
Emblems that can go anywhere
on your coat of arms.
3
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MOTTO
A motto is a short sentence that summarises
what motivates you or what you think is
important. For example, the Scout motto is
‘Be Prepared’.
Dieu et mon droit
means ‘God
and my right’.
Don’t worry, your motto doesn’t have to be
in Latin!
Lions
=
bravery Dog
=
reliability
Stag
=
wisdom Eagle
=
power Hare
=
speed
The Royal Standard coat of arms, showing
the Celtic harp, a symbol of Ireland.
The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom.
MAKE YOUR OWN COAT OF ARMS
ANIMAL
You could use an animal as your
charge. Choose one of these, or
pick your own.
4
OBJECT
You can also choose any object that
represents you. Here are some ideas:
- a musical instrument
- sports equipment
- your favourite book
- someone in your family
5
6
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MAKE YOUR OWN COAT OF ARMS
