Caverswall Castle
Encyclopedia
Caverswall Castle is a privately owned early 17th century mansion built in a castellar style upon the foundations and within the walls of a 13th century medieval castle. It is a Grade I listed building in Caverswall
, Staffordshire
.
In ancient times, the manor of Caverswall was held by the eponymous Caverswall family, who in 1275 were granted licence to crenellate their manor house. The resulting medieval moated castle was approximately rectangular in plan with four angle towers and a keep within the curtain walls..
In the 15th century the castle, which was owned by the Caverswall family, was the seat of the Montgomery family, three of whom served as High Sheriff of Staffordshire
. During the English Civil War
it was garrisoned by parliamentary forces and was much decayed and neglected by the end of the 17th century.
The neglected castle was purchased in 1615 by Matthew Cradock of Stafford, a local wool merchant, first mayor of Stafford in 1614 and Member of Parliament for Stafford in 1621. (He was a cousin of Matthew Cradock
(d. 1641), coloniser of Massachusetts.) He built the present mansion house retaining the old castle walls, to a design, it is said, of Robert Smythson
or John Smythson. The three storey house has five bays each with stone mullion
ed and transom
ed windows. There is a castellated parapet and an entrance porch
The Cradock male line failed and the estate was sold in 1655 to William Joliffe (High Sheriff
in 1663).Thereafter the castle had several owners. In the early 19th century it was occupied as a nunnery by a Benedictine order. In 1891 it was purchased by WE Bowers who carried out extensive renovations and much improved the property.
The house remains in private ownership and is closed to the public.
Caverswall
Caverswall is a village and parish in Staffordshire, to the south west of Staffordshire Moorlands.- Etymology :The name Caverswall is thought to have its origins in the Saxon words Cafhere, a personal noun, and Waelle, which meant spring or well.By the time of the Domesday Book the village was...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked 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. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
.
In ancient times, the manor of Caverswall was held by the eponymous Caverswall family, who in 1275 were granted licence to crenellate their manor house. The resulting medieval moated castle was approximately rectangular in plan with four angle towers and a keep within the curtain walls..
In the 15th century the castle, which was owned by the Caverswall family, was the seat of the Montgomery family, three of whom served as High Sheriff of Staffordshire
High Sheriff of Staffordshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Staffordshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
. During the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
it was garrisoned by parliamentary forces and was much decayed and neglected by the end of the 17th century.
The neglected castle was purchased in 1615 by Matthew Cradock of Stafford, a local wool merchant, first mayor of Stafford in 1614 and Member of Parliament for Stafford in 1621. (He was a cousin of Matthew Cradock
Matthew Cradock
Matthew Cradock was a London merchant, politician, and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Company. Founded in 1628, it was an organization of Puritan businessmen that organized and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony...
(d. 1641), coloniser of Massachusetts.) He built the present mansion house retaining the old castle walls, to a design, it is said, of Robert Smythson
Robert Smythson
Robert Smythson was an English architect. Smythson designed a number of notable houses during the Elizabethan era. Little is known about his birth and upbringing—his first mention in historical records comes in 1556, when he was stonemason for the house at Longleat, built by Sir John Thynne...
or John Smythson. The three storey house has five bays each with stone mullion
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
ed and transom
Transom (architectural)
In architecture, a transom is the term given to a transverse beam or bar in a frame, or to the crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it. Transom is also the customary U.S. word used for a transom light, the window over this crosspiece...
ed windows. There is a castellated parapet and an entrance porch
The Cradock male line failed and the estate was sold in 1655 to William Joliffe (High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
in 1663).Thereafter the castle had several owners. In the early 19th century it was occupied as a nunnery by a Benedictine order. In 1891 it was purchased by WE Bowers who carried out extensive renovations and much improved the property.
The house remains in private ownership and is closed to the public.