Nestled in the picturesque Northamptonshire countryside, the grassy mounds and earthworks along the River Nene are all that remain of Fotheringhay Castle. Once a formidable Norman stronghold and the birthplace of a king, it played host to two pivotal events in British royal history before fading into ruin. Let‘s embark on a journey through Fotheringhay‘s storied past.
Construction & Early History
The origins of Fotheringhay Castle date back to around 1100 AD, when Simon de Senlis, the Earl of Northampton, erected a traditional Norman motte-and-bailey castle on the site. The design featured an imposing conical mound (the motte) encircled by a deep ditch and topped by a timber keep. A spacious outer enclosure (the bailey) would have contained stables, workshops, and other ancillary buildings.
Over the next 300 years, Fotheringhay passed through several noble families – the House of Bolbec, the Longespees, the Bohuns – each leaving their mark on the castle‘s architecture. Records indicate that by the early 1300s, stone walls and towers had replaced the original wooden fortifications.
The York Family & Richard III
In 1377, Edmund of Langley, the son of King Edward III and first Duke of York, took possession of Fotheringhay. It would serve as a principal seat of the powerful York family for the next century. Edmund‘s grandson, Richard, 3rd Duke of York, found himself at the center of the Wars of the Roses – a dynastic struggle for the English crown that would profoundly shape Fotheringhay‘s destiny.
It was at Fotheringhay Castle, most historians agree, that Richard‘s wife Cecily Neville gave birth to their youngest son, Richard, on October 2, 1452. The future King Richard III spent his early years here before his father‘s death in battle and his brother Edward‘s ascension to the throne sent the boy into the guardianship of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
Prison & Execution Site
A century later, Fotheringhay would once again find itself at the heart of a royal power struggle. By the order of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, the abdicated Scottish queen Mary Stuart was removed to Fotheringhay in September 1586 to await her trial for treason.
The trial, convened in the castle‘s great hall that October, was a mere formality. As one contemporary chronicler wrote, "The cause was handled with such manifest partiality that…the fatal catastrophe was immediately apprehended by all." On February 8, 1587, Mary was beheaded on a scaffold in Fotheringhay‘s hall, her death warrant signed by Elizabeth.
Decline & Present Day
Astonishingly, within half a century of Mary‘s execution, majestic Fotheringhay Castle had deteriorated into a crumbling ruin. By 1625, the antiquarian Sir Robert Cotton lamented the castle was "overgrown with nettles and weeds, and the outer walls fallen down." Not long after, the castle was completely torn down, its stones repurposed for nearby buildings.
Today, you can freely roam the castle grounds, now protected as a Scheduled Monument. Trace the outlines of the once-mighty motte and keep, and view the small section of masonry preserved behind an iron railing. Informative plaques mark the most famous events and residents associated with Fotheringhay.
Recent archaeology has provided fresh insights into castle life. Geophysical surveys and selective excavation in the early 2000s revealed evidence of an extensive formal garden, a medieval dovecote, and a 15th century octagonal tower, possibly commissioned by Richard of York.
Visiting Essentials
Fotheringhay Castle is easily accessible off the A605, just a short drive from Oundle or Peterborough. Nearby, you‘ll find the Church of St Mary and All Saints, a stunning example of 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Here lie the tombs of Richard III‘s father, Richard of York, and his brother Edmund, Earl of Rutland, both slain in battle in 1460.
For an immersive experience, time your visit to coincide with the popular Fotheringhay Village Open Day each July, when costumed interpreters bring the castle‘s Tudor heyday to life. The Friends of Fotheringhay also host engaging talks and tours throughout the year.
As you stand on the tranquil banks of the Nene, it‘s hard to imagine the tumultuous lives that played out within Fotheringhay‘s walls. From the rise of the House of York to the fall of Mary, Queen of Scots, this unassuming ruin has borne witness to some of the most dramatic moments in British history. Stories that continue to captivate us to this day.
Sources & Further Reading
- Goodall, J. (2011). The English Castle: 1066-1650. Yale University Press.
- Mackenzie, J.D. (1897). The Castles of England: Their Story and Structure, Vol II. New York: Macmillan.
- Kightly, C. (2015). Fotheringhay: A Guide. The Richard III and Yorkist History Trust.
- Ashdown-Hill, J. (2017). "The Birth of Richard III", richardiii.net/2_5_0_wotr_richardiii.php#birth
- Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Vol. 4, 1587-1603. London: HMSO, 1899.
- Taylor, R. (2008). "Geophysical Survey at Fotheringhay Castle", northamptonshirerecordsociety.com/FotheringayCastleSurvey
