Beeston

From Chester Wiki

Jump to: navigation, search


noframe
Map
Information


Contents

[edit] Summary

There is evidence for Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity on this site. The castle visible today was built in the 13th century with Civil War additions. Started in 1220 by Ranulf of Blundeville, the Earl of Chester. It was altered during the late 13th-early 14th centuries by Edward I and by the 16th century it was ruined. Partial repairs were undertaken in 1643 and it was partially demolished in 1646 by the Royalists. The gatehouse is mid to late 19th century with 20th century alterations and additions. The building material consists of red sandstone.

The steep walk to the castle's highest point is rewarded with what must be one of the finest views in the country - from the Welsh mountains in the west to the Pennines in the east. In very clear conditions it is just possible to make out Pendle Hill (fifty miles to the north).

[edit] Neolithic site?

Archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of a Bronze Age community living on the Beeston crag from about 800BC. Evidence first came to light in 1978 when a socketed Bronze Age axe was discovered on the crag. Archaeological excavations have uncovered some evidence for bronze casting. In addition to the metal finds, numerous fragments of prehistoric pottery and post-holes were uncovered showing the site had a long history of occupation. A neolithic flint arrowhead shows that people were visiting the site at even earlier dates.

Further excavations have discovered the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. These are hard to detect - being most evident on either side of the gatehouse to the outer bailey. It is believed that some of the mediaeval walls are built using existing earthworks.The hill fort was probably abandoned by the beginning of the Roman period.

[edit] Ranulf of Blundeville

There is no clear military reason why Ranulf should have built a castle at Beeston. However, Ranulf had just returned from the fifth crusade and was not on the best terms with the then king, Henry III. It could well be that the castle was a political statement showing the king how powerful Ranulf was.

Ranulf designed Beeston castle as two parts. On top of the crag he cut a great ditch through the rock to create the inner bailey, a relatively small enclosure which, with its walls, towers and gatehouse, and with precipitous cliffs on three sides, was the most secure part of the castle. On the lower slopes he created the outer bailey whose walls and towers followed the contours of the ground and which had another massive gatehouse, fronted by a ditch, at its entrance. Ranulf's innovative design differed from most other castles of the day in that were dominated by a huge tower or 'keep' that acted as the main stronghold of the castle. Beeston had no keep, instead small towers projected from the walls which allowed defenders to fire across the faces of the walls. Another innovation was the provision of powerful gatehouses at each entrance designed to protect the most vulnerable parts of the castle and provide a refuge if the walls were breached.

[edit] Richard II's treasure

Local legend holds that Richard II hid his extensive Royal Treasure hereabouts before sailing to Ireland to quell an uprising. Richard never reclaimed his treasure as he was captured, upon his return, at Flint by Henry Bollingbrooke and imprisoned (at Chester Castle for a while). Many attempts have been made to find the "treasure" over the years and none of them have been successful.

[edit] Civil War

The castle was brought back into military use during the civil war when Parliamentarians seized the castle in February 1643 and made some repairs to the fortifications. In December 1643 a small party of Royalists took the castle. A Royalist garrison remained in the castle until November 1645 when, after a long siege, they were forced to surrender.

[edit] In art?

Beeston may appear in the works of John Glover. Who was known to have painted scenes in Chester

[edit] sources and links

[edit] the view

Retrieved from "http://www.chesterwiki.com/Beeston"
Personal tools