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Helmsley Castle in the 17th Century: The era of the English Civil War…
Helmsley Castle in the 17th Century: The era of the English Civil War (1600-1699)
Key People
Castle passed down Manners family until Katherine Manners inherited from father in 1620
Passed ownership to husband George Villiers (1st Duke of Buckingham)
Main residence Belvoir Castle
Thomas Fairfax led Parliamentarian army besieging castle and granted castle and town of Helmsley in 1650
George Villiers (2nd Duke of Buckingham) fled country after Charles I defeated
Returned in 1657 and married Mary Fairfax (daughter of Thomas Fairfax)
Villiers regained castle on restoration of crown in 1660 but mostly lived in London at Cahrles II court
Died with debts in 1687
Act of Parliament passed in 1689 to allow estate to be sold
Changes to Physical Features
Castle looked much the same as 16th Century UNTIL CIVIL WAR
Inventory of Helmsley from 1636
Hall, Great Chamber, Dining Room, Lord's Bed Chamber, Tower, Parlour, Storehouse, Pantry, Cellar, Kitchen and Pastry, Kitchen Chamber, Stables, Higher Chamber
Surprisingly no long gallery
All furniture listed as 'old'
Suggests not main home for family
Thomas Fairfax ordered defences, walls and East Tower be 'slighted' after Royalist surrender
Represent Parliamentarian victory
Site Evidence
South Barbican
Graffiti carved by 17th Century visitors
East Tower
Rubble from slighting
Missing wall
Unexploded mine found (in museum)
Evidence of cannon shot
17th Century chargers (larger serving dishes)
Good quality shows wealth
Spurs and weapons found from English Civil War
Use and Purpose
No evidence Villiers lived there
Katherine, Duchess of Buckingham's furniture and servants there part of year as are referenced in surrender to Parliamentarians
Suggests time spent there before Civil War
Castle garrisoned by Royalists (troops stationed there) under command of local man, Sir Jordan Crosland (Royalist)
Parliament won Battle of Marston Moor (July 1644)
York fell
General Thomas Fairfax turned attention to Helmsley in August 1644
Castle laid siege by Parliamentarians from August-November 1644
Parliament's paper Perfect Diumall reported Royalist forces sent from Skipton and Knaresborough to help lift siege defeated and Parliament took 80 horses and supplies destined for Helmsley as well as prisoners
Only 5 Parliamentarians wounded
Royalist's paper Mercurius Aulicus claimed they took own prisoners and captured weapons
Jordan Crossland negotiated 'Surrender with Honour' on 6th November 1644
All Royalists could leave with goods and weapons and join Royalists at Scarborough
Carriages provided to carry Royalist supplies out of castle
All prisoners on both sides released
Royalist prisoners held at Helmsley in 1648-9 in basement of West Tower
Links to National Events
English Civil War is TURNING POINT in history of castle
Comparisons to Other Sites
Pickering
No role in English Civil War
Big difference
Alnwick
No role in English Civil War
Big difference
Scarborough
Involved in English Civil War
Hugh Cholmley ordered to hold Scarborough for Parliament but backed Royalists
Important Royalist base like Helmsley
Jordan Crossland surrendered and took soldiers to Scarborough
Castle besieged for 5 months in 1645
Surrendered July 1645
Lots of fighting
Prison in 1650s