Ashby de la Zouch Castle in Leicestershire, England. The ruins are Grade 1 listed,managed by English Heritage
Ashby de la Zouch Castle is in the town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. The ruins have been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, and they are a Scheduled Ancient Monument managed by English Heritage. The ruins have for the large part been stabilised from further deterioration, and the grounds are all laid to grass. It is possible to climb to the top of the Hastings tower (there are 98 steps), and to explore the underground passage from the kitchen basements to the Hastings tower, which was probably created during the Civil War. The site originated as a Norman fortified manor house in the 12th century founded by Alain de Parrhoet, la Zouch, out of Breton, France. In 1461, the castle reverted to the Crown after the then owner James Butler, the 5th Earl of Ormonde, was executed after the Battle of Towton. The castle remained within the Crown's hands for a few years until Edward IV bestowed it upon William, Lord Hastings. William was awarded a licence to crenellate in 1474 and quickly started major works to extend and improve the castle. The principal building of this time was the Hastings Tower which was 90 feet (27 m) high. It is rectangular in shape measuring about 47 feet (14 m) by 41 feet (12 m) with walls nearly 9 feet (3 m) thick on the ground floor. The tower principal had four grand floors with an extension on the northeast side having seven floors. The tower and kitchens had their own was also a Great Hall and other grand rooms for entertainment sited to the north of the main tower. A visitor in 1644 described rich stained glass windows, depicting coats of arms. William's descendants added to the castle and grounds, including grand landscaped parks and gardens. A chapel was built by William on the northeast corner of the castle and was originally lavishly appointed and richly decorated, but was stripped bare during the reformation. The castle became a famous ruin after publication of Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe
Size: 4000px × 6000px
Location: Ashby de la Zouch, Leicetsershire, England
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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