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» Places » Ludlow Castle - [Castle] (SO 5000 7400)

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Official Site : Ludlow Castle home page

Ludlow Castle is situated in the Marches of Wales. Ludlow is one of the most important castles of the area and was the main stronghold of the Earls of March. Although most of the castle is now in ruin, there is much that can be explored. Ludlow Castle is situated at the nort-east corner of the town on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the river Teme. To the east and south of the castle would have been a ditch but this has been filled in. The castle consists of an inner and outer bailey. The outer bailey is rectangular and the inner bailey is peardrop shaped. Access to the inner bailey is via a strong tower-gatehouse called the Great Tower. The inner bailey is surrounded by walls with buildings on the inside. Within the inner bailey is a small round chapel built by the Normans and resembling the temple church in London. Nothing remains except the west door and the circular nave with a mural arcade that was once filled with panels. The door is an example of enriched Norman work. The chapel was said to be dedicated to St Mary Magdelene. A ditch cuts off the inner and outer baileys and a bridge is used to enter the inner bailey. Access to the outer bailey is via a gatehouse on the east side of the castle.

Mini Timeline

1138		Ludlow castle siege
		Ludlow Castle was captured on behalf of Matilda in 1138 and King Stephen besieged the castle in an attempt to regain it. During the siege the King bravely saved Prince Henry of Scotland from being injured by a grappling hook thrown from the castle.
1459	Sep 23	Battle of Blore Heath
		Led by Richard Earl of Salisbury the Yorkists in the north mobilised an army and headed south to meet the Duke of York at Ludlow. Salisbury was intercepted by a Lancastrian army led by Lord Audley at Blore Heath in Shropshire. The Lancastrians were the first to attack. Their first and second cavalry charges were replused and when the Lancastrian foot soldiers were also repulsed they turned and fled. In the battle Audley was killed and although two of Salisbury's sons were captured they were quickly released. The Yorkists had won this battle.
	Oct 12	Battle of Ludford Bridge
		The Earl of Warwick with a force from Calais reached Ludlow and the combined army of the Yorkists attacked the King's army at Ludford Bridge near Ludlow. The men from Calais refused to fight their king and a weak Yorkist army was defeated. Richard Duke of York and his younger son escaped and fled to Ireland while Salisbury, Warwick and Edward of March (later Edward IV) fled to Calais.
1472 - 1483		Ludlow home for the two princes
		The young Prince of Wales and his brother lived at Ludlow Castle.
1483	Apr 29	Woodvilles escort Edward V
		The 4th of May had been set as the coronation date for Edward V, the new king. The Woodvilles wanted Edward crowned as soon as possible and they wanted Richard's role as Protector changed so that he didn't command so much power. The Woodvilles were concerned that with the death of Edward IV who had been their protector, old rivalries would resurface and their grip on power may fail. The King was at Ludlow and the Woodvilles escorted him to London via Northampton where it was agreed that they should meet Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. When Richard reached Northampton, he discovered that the Woodvilles had already left and were at Stony Stratford.
Early Modern Period (1500-1800) - Under Construction
1502	Jan	Prince Arthur moves to Ludlow
		Prince Arthur took up his position as governer of the Welsh Marches and moved to Ludlow Castle. He was accompanied by his wife Catherine of Aragon.
	Apr	Prince Arthur dies
		Prince Arthur fell ill at Ludlow with consumption, an illness that he seems to have suffered from a lot during his life. The illness was severe and he died.