Conisbrough Castle, Conisbrough, South Yorkshire
The Castle Keep and curtain walls were built in c1180 for Hamelin Plantagenet. He was the 5th Earl de Warren (Warenne) an illegitimate half brother to Henry II. The castle was visited by King John in 1201 and was later popularised by Sir Walter Scott's novel 'Ivanhoe'. The keep is similar to that at Mortemer, near Dieppe in France, also owned by the Warren family. It remained in the hands of the de Warrens until the reign of Edward III when it passed to Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, and to his descendants. Elizabeth I granted the castle and its demesne to her cousin, Lord Hunsden, since when it has passed through several owners. It has been in State care since 1950.
