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Halton Castle |
The first
Halton Castle was built of wood, probably in the
motte and bailey pattern, shortly after the
Norman Conquest (ca. 1070) and became the seat of
the Barony of Halton. The site could hardly have
been better chosen - a rocky outcrop on a hill
overlooking the River Mersey, with a view
especially of the Welsh hills and any marauding
Welshmen who may have been looking for trouble at
that time. The 3rd Baron began reconstructing the
castle in sandstone quarried from the rock in the
early 12th century. |
The castle
became an administrative centre in 1274 and was
used as a court and a prison. Much new building
ensued in the following centuries. The castle was
in a ruinous state after the English Civil War
though part was still in use as a court until
1738, when the gatehouse was demolished and a new
courthouse built using the same stone. This
became the Castle Hotel in 1908. |
The castle
is described in Lewis's Topographical
Dictionary of England (1848): |
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Halton is
traditionally said to have been a favourite
hunting-seat of the great John of Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster. The castle, occupying a commanding
situation on the brow of a hill overlooking a
great part of Cheshire, with an extensive view
across the river Mersey into Lancashire, was
built soon after the Conquest; and the town which
arose under its protection, obtained the grant of
a weekly market and two annual fairs, which have
been long discontinued. During the civil war, the
castle was garrisoned for the king, in the early
part of 1643; but in the following year it was
taken by the parliamentarians. There are few
remains of the building; the only habitable part,
apparently rebuilt since the Restoration, has
been converted into an inn. |
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