Conisbrough Castle was built in the 11th century by William de Warenne and had several owners over the centuries, with significant expansion and rebuilding done in the 12th century under Hamelin Plantagenet, including the construction of the unique cylindrical keep. The castle fell into disrepair by the 15th century and is now maintained as a historic ruin by English Heritage, featuring the oldest surviving building, the 27-meter-tall keep from 1180.

1. Toni Lumley – Rainbow Rhythms

2. Years of focus
CASTLE TIMELINE
• 1066 onward – William de Warenne built a wooden castle on the Conisbrough grounds.
• 1170– Hamelin Plantagenet (Henry II’s half brother ) builds the stone castle.
• 1180 - The cylindrical keep built, Hamelin seems to have ordered its construction to his own design, there being
no other example of this type of keep anywhere in the country.
• 1202 - It is generally assumed that the construction of the stone curtain walls of Conisbrough followed not long
after the keep.
• 1347 – The castle became part of the estates of the royal Dukes of York
• 1446 – Almost unoccupied, after the death of Maud, stepmother of Richard Duke of York, and over next century
and falls into disrepair.
• 1538 – Described as a ruin by commissioners to Henry VIII. and played no part in the Civil War in the next
century.
CASTLE OWNERS
• 1066 – William de Warenne (1st Earl of Surrey) built the first castle after the Norman conquest.
• 1163 – The Warrenne heiress (Isabel) married Hamelin Plantagenet (second marrage). Hamelin dies in 1202.
• 1347 – The last Earl (John, son of Hamelin) died in 1304, with no heir the castle reverted to the Crown and
Edward III cohered the Estate for his youngest son Edmund Langley.
• 1461 – The castle had passed via decedents to Richard Duke of York and then to his son who became Edward IV.
• 1540 – Henry VIII passes the castle to the Carey family (cousins of future queen Elizabeth). It passes by marriage
to the Coke family.
• 1737 – Duke of Leeds
• 1859 – Baron Conyers
• 1920 - Conisbrough local council buys the castle.
• 1940 onwards - English Heritage take over its care.

3. • The third earl who died in 1147 left no male heir, having only one daughter, Isabel. She
married William de Blois, who became the fourth Earl Warenne. He died in 1159, and
in 1163 Henry II arranged another marriage for Isabel, the fifth earl was Hamelin
Plantagenet, Henry’s illegitimate half-brother.
• Hamelin spent more time at his Yorkshire castle than any of the previous earls; he held
the earldom for close on forty years, from 1163 until his death in 1202.
• It was this period that saw the construction of the great stone keep of the castle.
• The cylindrical keep probably dates from around 1180, Hamelin seems to have ordered
its construction to his own design, there being no other example of this type of keep
anywhere in the country.
• It is generally now assumed that the construction of the stone curtain walls of
Conisbrough followed not long after the keep, but the layout and the planning of the
BREAKDOWN
stone buildings within the bailey may not have been begun until the thirteenth century
and may be the work of Hamelin’s son William, earl from 1202 until 1239. Isabel & Hamelin (4 children);
• After the death of William in 1239, the castle passed to John, his son by his second 1) William (1166–1240)
marriage to Maud. She took custody of the castle during the minority of her son, who 2) Ela (1170 born)
3) Isabel
held the manor from 1239 until 1304.
4) Matilda
• John married Alice, the sister of Henry III.
Son William & Wife Maud
• From the Hundred Rolls (records of the local court assizes) of the period of the seventh
earl’s tenure, there come tales of men and women imprisoned at Conisbrough, and of Son John & Wife Alice
the colourful if rather unlawful dealings of the seneschal and constables of the castle,
one of whom, Richard de Heydon, was charged with ‘devilish and innumerable No Heir (reverted to the Crown)
oppressions’.

4. 97 feet high, supported by
6 buttresses.
Built from the highest
quality stone (magnesium
limestone) – cylindrical
keeps rather than
rectangular were popular
of the century however
only Conisbrough Castle
also featured a ring of
wedge shapes buttresses
whose tops may have been
used by archers.
Despite the popularity of
the cylindrical design,
Conisbrough Castle is the
only one still standing
today.
http://www.rotherhamweb.co.uk/h/conisbrough1.htm

5. The Keep is the oldest building at the Castle. It dates back
to 1180 and was built under the instructions of Hamelin
Plantagene.
It stands 27 metres (90 feet) high with walls of 4.6 metres
thick and has 5 levels including the roof.
The Keep was the last bastion of defence at the Castle; if
the Castle came under attack and the walls were breached
then the defenders would retreat to the Keep, pull in the
wooden bridge at the top of the stairs and bolt the door
making it almost impossible for the attackers to gain
entry.
The Keep contains a number of interesting features
including the largest hooded fire-place of its date, a very
impressive private chapel and a fine processional
staircase.
At the top of the Keep are two water storage tanks, a
bread-oven, two observation turrets and a shelter.

6. What is it About
Arrow slits Thin, vertical, holes where an archer can
launch arrows, lockers nearby to store spare
arrows and bolts.
Battlement Wall-like barrier at the edge of the roof (in
our case The Keep). Built for arrow firing.
Arrow slits are often placed beneath the
Crenel’s
The Bailey The home of the rest of the Lord’s
household & gave them protection.
Barracks, stables, workshops and storage
was found here.
Ringwork Motte-and-bailey castles minus the motte
(usually circular/oval shaped)

7. What is it About
Gatehouse Weakest part of port. The gateway was
hard to find on castles so added on either
side. Passage to gatehouse was
lengthened to increase the amount of
time an assailant had to spend under fire.
Portcullis Latticed grille made of metal. Raised and
lowered using chains and ropes attached
o a winch. Possibly two gates to trap
enemies in-between. Burning wood or
fire-heated sand would be thrown from
the roof.
Workshops Craftsmen, artisans, carpenters, farrier
and blacksmiths would have these in the
bailey.
Yett Gate of latticed wrought iron bars used
for defensive purposes. Also used over
openings and pane-less windows.

8. What is it About
Ballista / Ancient missile weapons. Launched
Springlad large projectiles at distant targets.
Oubliette Type of dungeon/prison which is
accessible only from a hatch in a high
ceiling, would leave prisoners in the
to forget about them.
Dungeons Underground complexes of cells and
torture chambers. A lot of rooms
underground were used for storing
cold food and ice.

9. Information:
• http://www.rotherhamweb.co.uk/h/conisbrough1.htm
• http://www.castleweb.co.uk/?p=48
• http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/conisbrough-castle-teachers-
kit/conisbrough-castle-tk/
Images:
• http://www.urbexforums.com/showthread.php/2676-Conisbrough-Castle-11-01-2009-
ARCHIVED
Other helpful resources:
• http://mh3dartwork.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/conisbrough-castle-concept.html
• http://www.flash-fx.net/3D/misc.php