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History

Fulwood Castle - Derbyshire

Located in the village of Middleton-by-Youlegrave in the High Peaks district of Derbyshire, the Middleton (Fulwood) Castle estate was purchased by Francis & Thomas Fulwood for £1280 from Edward Cockayne in 1598.

These two brothers bought the estate through wealth created from a rich lead mine. Their mine had a lead vein which crossed the road between Youlegrave and Conksbury and was called affectionately "Fulwood's Pipe". On the left is believed to be drawing of Middleton (Fulwood) Castle.

Later in 1603, the two brothers sold their Castle to their elder brother George FULWOOD. George, was born circa 1558, was knighted by King James on 11 December 1606 at Whitehall, London.
Sir George later became High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1611 and owned property called "Fulwood Rents" within the confines of Grays Inn, Holborn, London. See Holborn page for more information.

By this time it is believed the Castle building which stood on top of this hill was now in ruins. On the right hand side of this photograph is a faint outline of a roadway, now grassed over, which led up to the castle house.

All that remains now of the castle is one wall approximately 12 foot high and the footings of the castle wall. But parts of the Castle can still be seen as the original windows and stone masonry of the castle have been used in the construction of Castle Farm.

After George's death his son Christopher inherited the Castle. It remained in his ownership until his death at the hands of Parliamentary forces in 1643. As Royalists, the FULWOOD estate was probably confiscated by the state and subsequently acquired by Robert Bateman of London in 1644.

From this point the ownership of the estate became very dispersed amongst Robert Bateman's sons. Sir Thomas, Sir William and Sir Anthony and their relatives.

In 1739 part of the Middleton estate was purchased by John Howe of Buckinghamshire and one sixth was bought from the Knights by another Robert Bateman before 1683 and sold by his son Robert to Samuel Sundars in trust for John Howse in 1715. Four sixths of the Manor in 1721 belonged to Sir John Curzon by purchase from the Knights. He exchanged it with Mr Sundars. From him they passed to his nephew Mr Howe and before 1777 five-sixths of the estate were vested in RICHARD, VISCOUNT HOWE.

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