Whorlton Castle, Whorlton, Swainby
More Articles in the Danby Wiske to Swainby subsection
Approaching the east portcullis gate of Whorlton Castle
Whorlton Castle, Swainby, Coast to Coast
Whorlton Castle is a Norman motte and bailey type of castle and was once part of the medieval lost village of Whorlton. It was constructed in the 12th century and was part of the medieval lost village, and continued its operations throughout the Middle Ages and into the early Modern Age. The Early Modern Age comprises the years starting from the 15th century, continuing through the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, and concluding with the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. In actuality the Castle was ruinous from the mid 14th century but remained in use until at least the 17th century.
Whorlton Castle in located 1/4 mile north east of Swainby and only 1 mile from the Coast to Coast path on Scarth Wood Moor and in Clain Wood. Almost opposite the Castle is Whorlton Old Church and 1/2 mile further on is Whorl Hill and Faceby.
Motte and Bailey Castles were Norman in origin and were largely built during the 10th to 12th centuries. They were easy and cheap to build but were still militarily formidable. Their usefulness was superseded by improved castle designs from the 13th century onwards. Most motte and bailey castles are unique from each other.
There are 3 essential elements to a Motte and Bailey castle
1 There is a Motte. This is a raised, flattened mound upon which the Keep is erected. The Keep is the centre of military operations and the most important part of the castle.
2 There is a Bailey, which is a walled enclosure housing the more social and domestic facilities of the castle
3 There is a defensive ditch or moat. This will usually have a palisade between it and the castle, e.g. a fence of strong wooden or metal stakes fixed into the ground.
Whorlton Castle
Whorlton Castle stands atop a small hill of 100m, but with clear views of the Mowbray Valley. The Castle is approached by passing around its east, gated face. The facade clearly displays 3 shields above the gate, which represent the Coat of Arms of Dacry (centre), Meyneil (right) and Gray (left).
South Side Whorlton Castle
Above the 3 shields is a another, larger shield that represents the arms of Darcy and Meynell impaled. When a shield is impaled it means the shield is bisected with a different coat of arms on each side, in this case one for the Darcy family and the other for the Maynell's family. The impalement usually denotes the union of a husband and wife in marriage.
Castle's Interior
Many rooms once led off from the formerly vaulted central passage, and above it there was a great hall accessed by a spiral staircase that still subsists although the floor it leads to does not.
Undercrofts to the Keep
The Keep no longer exists but was located 22m west of the of the Castle entrance. Its existance is only evidenced b y the remains of the vaulted undercrofts. These are probably the oldest remaining parts of the Castle.
View to Whorlton Church
From the mound housing the Mott (Keep) there is a clear view across to Whorlton Old Church. The Castle's defensive ditch can be seen in the foreground.
Coast to Coast Trail Guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast
"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.
