| Description | Situated on projecting spur on south side Wharfe valley. Licence to crenellate granted in 1366 and castle/tower house possibly built at that time. Replaced Rougemont Castle (PRN 6) in Dunkeswick as the administrative centre of Sir William de Aldeburgh's manor. Evidence of 12th and 13th century pottery and re used stonework indicate that the castle may have been built on the site of the late 13th century manor attested in the accounts of Isabell de Fortebus (Moorhouse 1989). Although there are structural anomalies within the castle fabric, none have been found to pre date the later 14th century, and evidence from fabric surveys indicate that constructional techniques have been generally consistent (Dennison and Richardson 2008). This would suggest that none of the elements in the present structure date to this earlier period.
In its most basic form, the castle is made up of a rectangular hall block on three levels with a tower at each corner and a smaller wing attached to the north end. It is a well preserved example of an elaborately designed medieval house with a strong aesthetic presence and only a passing concern for defence. This is largely derived from its prominent position on a steeply sloping valley side as well as structural details that include mullioned and transomed windows. Later additions are believed to have been made during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries following the joint occupation by the Redmayne and Ryther families; a series of doorways were inserted and heating arrangements were altered in the upper hall (Dennison and Richardson 2008). By the mid 17th century, the castle had fallen into decay as piecemeal, but controlled, demolition took place as the structure became a local source for stone (WYAS WYL 250/3/12a). This is most prominently seen in the removal of major internal fittings for use in local buildings. It is suggested that the castle lay in such a state until the late 18th century, when plans were made to incorporate it into the designed landscape surrounding Harewood House. Designs from the 1770s suggest that the castle had also been planned to have been converted to a malthouse, possibly designed by John Carr of York, but structural surveys suggest that this scheme was not carried out (WYAS WYL 250/4/1). The later use of the structure as a picturesque ruin within the Harewood designed landscape (PRN 4000), and the subsequent impact on the building fabric as it was converted for this new use, has not been evaluated to date.
The site has been given Scheduled Ancient Monument status, and the castle’s ruins are listed grade I; this is due to the survival of the castle fabric and is viewed as one of the best examples of a 14th century fortified tower house in Yorkshire |