Apley Castle
Encyclopedia
Apley Castle was a medieval fortified manor in the village of Hadley
, Shropshire
, England.
in Hadley near Shrewsbury
. By the early 14th century the manor was owned by the Charlton family, who had become major landowners in the region, and in 1327 Sir Alan Charlton received a licence to crenellate the manor house. The building work occurred shortly afterwards, producing a square building set around a central courtyard. Charlton's descendants expanded the castle considerably into an Elizabethan mansion during the late 16th and early 17th century, using grey ashlar
stone.
In 1642 the castle passed by marriage to Thomas Hanmer, who married Francis Charlton. With the outbreak of the English Civil War
that year between the supporters of King Charles
and Parliament, Hanmer, a royalist, fortified the mansion, which formed a valuable strategic stronghold close to Shrewsbury. Encouraged by Francis Charlton's younger brother, the castle was sacked by Parliamentary forces during the war: £1,500 of damage was done and the lead from the roof was stolen for use at Shrewsbury Castle
.
A second mansion, also called Apley Castle, was subsequently built between 1791-4 for the Charltons, and the repaired first castle was reused as the stableblock for this building. This building was demolished in 1955 and the stables fell into disrepair. In 1996 the stables, including their medieval elements, were renovated and turned into a private house. The site is a Grade 2* listed building.
Hadley, Shropshire
Hadley is a part of the new town of Telford in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire, England. It lies approximately 5 miles north-west of Telford Town Centre, and is registered under the parish of Hadley and Leegomery...
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, England.
History
Apley Castle was a moated, fortified manor houseManor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
in Hadley near Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
. By the early 14th century the manor was owned by the Charlton family, who had become major landowners in the region, and in 1327 Sir Alan Charlton received a licence to crenellate the manor house. The building work occurred shortly afterwards, producing a square building set around a central courtyard. Charlton's descendants expanded the castle considerably into an Elizabethan mansion during the late 16th and early 17th century, using grey ashlar
Ashlar
Ashlar is prepared stone work of any type of stone. Masonry using such stones laid in parallel courses is known as ashlar masonry, whereas masonry using irregularly shaped stones is known as rubble masonry. Ashlar blocks are rectangular cuboid blocks that are masonry sculpted to have square edges...
stone.
In 1642 the castle passed by marriage to Thomas Hanmer, who married Francis Charlton. With the outbreak of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
that year between the supporters of King Charles
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
and Parliament, Hanmer, a royalist, fortified the mansion, which formed a valuable strategic stronghold close to Shrewsbury. Encouraged by Francis Charlton's younger brother, the castle was sacked by Parliamentary forces during the war: £1,500 of damage was done and the lead from the roof was stolen for use at Shrewsbury Castle
Shrewsbury Castle
Shrewsbury Castle is a red sandstone castle in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. It stands on a hill in the neck of the meander of the River Severn on which the town originally developed. The castle is situated directly above Shrewsbury railway station....
.
A second mansion, also called Apley Castle, was subsequently built between 1791-4 for the Charltons, and the repaired first castle was reused as the stableblock for this building. This building was demolished in 1955 and the stables fell into disrepair. In 1996 the stables, including their medieval elements, were renovated and turned into a private house. The site is a Grade 2* listed building.