Kendal Castle

Kendal Castle is a medieval fortification to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England. The castle, which is atop a glacial drumlin, was built in the 12th century as the Caput baroniae for the Barony of Kendal. By the 15th century, the Parr family owned the castle.

Kendal Castle looking south, with the town of Kendal visible behind.

History

The castle was built in the late 12th century as the home of the Lancaster family who were Barons of Kendal. The best-known family associated with the castle was the Parr family; including Queen Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII of England. Her family had lived at Kendal since her ancestor Sir William Parr married the heiress of Kendal, Elizabeth Ros, during the reign of Edward III of England. By the time Catherine Parr was born, the family had long deserted the castle which was already falling into disrepair. Catherine's father preferred to live in the centre of court in London. Sir Thomas's father seems to be the last of the Parrs to have lived at Kendal Castle.[1] Queen Catherine Parr was once thought to have been born at the castle; however, modern research has shown that it was in great disrepair by the 16th century and she was most likely born in Blackfriars, London.[2][3]

The two remaining significant ruins of Kendal Castle. In the foreground is part of the walls of the old manor hall, while the only surviving tower of the castle is visible rear left.

Today

The site, which has been a ruin since Tudor times, is accessible to the public and managed by the South Lakeland District Council.[4]

The castle is today most well known for its prominence in Stuart Oldham’s much acclaimed parody of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the Hill’, entitled ‘Kendal Castle on the Hill’.

  • Kendal Castle at sunset, August 2003
  • Kendal Castle, October 2005
  • Kendal Castle, April 2007
  • Kendal Castle, July 2007

References
  1. Linda Porter. Katherine, the Queen, Macmillan, 2010; p. 21.
  2. Farrer, William; Curwen, John F., eds. (1923). "Kirkby in Kendale: 1453–1530". Records relating to the Barony of Kendale. 1. Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society. Record series. IV. British-history.ac.uk. p. 54.
  3. James, Susan (2009). Catherine Parr: Henry VIII's Last Love (hardback). Stroud: The History Press. pp. 60–63. ISBN 075244591X.
  4. "New signage completes Kendal Castle upgrade". The Westmorland Gazette. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2019.

Further reading
  • Fry P.S. (1980). The David & Charles Book of Castles. David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3.

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