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Early De Roos (1154-1299) - Coggle Diagram
Early De Roos (1154-1299)
Key People
De Roos family inherited the castle from Espec when he died with no children
Sister married to Peter De Roos
Robert De Roos II (Fursan) took control in 1191
Founded a number of religious houses like Espec
William De Roos III (grandson of Fursan) inherited in 1258
Married Isabel d'Aubigny (heiress to Belvoir estate)
Changes to Physical Features
Physical features after 1191
Earth and timber defences replaced by stone curtain wall
Rounded and D-shaped towers (13th Century style)
Square gate tower on south-east corner
Main entrance
Northern approach protected by twin towered gatehouse with curtain wall and rounded towers at each end
East Tower
Vaulted basement with single floor above that may have been a chapel
West Tower built as private residence
W
Functioned as Robert's private room adjacent to chamber block
TODAY curtain wall and parts of hall survive
Physical features after 1216
Rectangular chapel built in centre and consecrated in 1246
Shows importance of religion
Work to strengthen castle continued
Probably funded by Robert's marriage to Isabel d'Aubigny
Drawbridge pit with postern built in front of south gate with steps down to three posterns
South barbican (built 1227-1285) with twin towered D-shaped gatehouse
Southwest and southeast sides enclosed as private parkland for Lord to hunt
Closet area used for hunting called La Haye
Probably Medieval garden where carpark is
Evidence of watercourse and landscaping found when carpark built
Site Evidence
Remains of south barbican
arrow slit windows (defence)
Artefacts
Fragments of pottery (domestic role)
South Gate
Built 1200s and can see drawbridge pit built 1300s
West Tower
Solar chamber
Built above original Espec wall
East Tower
Built 1200s
Chapel
Moulded jamb
Green glazing tyles
Footprint of building survives (E-W line)
Nine Men's Morris Game found
Leisure
Medieval well
Shows how got water
Hunting grounds
Arrows found in ground suggests hunting)
Use and Purpose
Main domestic residence for Lord and Family (De Roos)
Dominated village of Helmsley
Acted as Lord of the Manor
Administered justice to local area
More alterations to castle meant more work provided to local skilled labourers (e.g. masons)
Diversity
Chaplain lived at castle to give private mass in chapel for family
De Roos entertained at the castle
Mainly hunting
Links to National Events
Robert De Roos II (Fursan) one of barons to sign Magna Carta
Fursan also in Knights Templar
Military order involved in Crusades (religion as factor)
Comparisons to Other Sites
Pickering
Also built from stone from 1180
More royal links to King John
Used as northern base by King John, Henry III and Edward II
Alnwick
Faced more fighting
Close to Scotland
King John accused Lord Alnwick of treason and ordered castle demolished (didn't happen)
Scarborough
Royal links
Henry II rebuilt castle from 1159
King John's royal castle with defensive and domestic improvements
Prisoners from Scotland kept here