Conisbrough Castle, Conisbrough, South Yorkshire
This is a reconstruction drawing of Conisbrough Castle. The site of Conisbrough Castle was part of the honour of Conisbrough given to Earl Warenne by his father-in-law William the Conqueror. The castle was built during the 12th century and remained in the hands of the de Warennes until the reign of Edward III. Then it passed to Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, and to his descendants. It had royal visits from King John in 1201 and Edward II in 1322. From 1347 it became part of the estates of the royal Dukes of York: Richard 'of Conisbrough', Earl of Cambridge, younger son of the first duke, was probably born here. After his execution for plotting against Henry V in 1415 it was occupied by his widow until her death in 1446. Thereafter however it gradually fell out of use, and by 1538 it was already ruinous and indefensible. Elizabeth I granted the castle and its lands to her cousin, Lord Hunsden, since when it has passed through several owners. Conisbrough Castle also featured in Sir Walter Scott’s 'Ivanhoe', Scott wrongly believed the castle to be an ancient Anglo-Saxon building. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Read detailed archaeological description.
