Skipton Castle... I've been so many times before and shown photos on my blog, so I thought I'd try something slightly different this time. Mono conversions and a bit of faffing!
It's over 900 years old. Built by a Norman baron, Robert de Romille, it started as a wooden motte and bailey castle on an earthen foundation. It was rebuilt in stone, the better to withstand attacks from the Scots to the North and, standing as it does on a steep cliff that drops down behind it to Ellar Beck, it is in a good defensive position. Its thick-walled round towers are designed to fend off cannon fire.
During the English Civil War it was the only Royalist stronghold in the North of England and withstood a three year siege by Cromwell's troops, after which in 1645 a surrender was negotiated. For over 300 years from 1310 it was the property of the Clifford family. After the Civil War, it was repaired and cared for by Lady Anne Clifford and thanks to her efforts we still have it - roofed and remarkably intact - to enjoy today. The entrance door known as Lady Anne's steps was built in her time to replace the original drawbridge.
In the inner court, a yew tree planted by Lady Anne in the 1600s still stands today.
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