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Later De Roos (1300-1499) - Coggle Diagram
Later De Roos (1300-1499)
Key People
14th Century
Stayed in family for duration of century passing from father to son
William De Roos II and William De Roos III made a number of adaptations during ownership
15th Century
William De Roos V Lord Treasurer of England (1403-4)
Thomas De Roos (born 1427) inherited castle at 3 years old in 1430
Came of age and served in Hundred Years War in France and then returned to sit in Parliament 1449
Lancastrian side in Wars of the Roses
Fled to Scotland when Yorkists won at Towton in 1461 and was captured and executed in Newcastle in 1464
Castle passed to the crown (Edward IV) after Thomas's execution
Gave it to Richard of Gloucester (later Richard III)
Used Middleham Castle as his base in north
After Richard III's death at Battle of Bosworth castle was restored to De Roos family
Edmund De Roos not seen as 'of sufficient mind' to manage castle
Overseen by brother in law Thomas Lovell
Last direct member of De Roos family to own castle
Changes to Physical Features
14th Century
Defences didn't need more work so domestic nature was improved
Rooms created in south barbican (previously open-backed) and wing walls added, running down to ditch and up to southern corners of castle
East Tower heightened and rearranged internally to create 4 floors in 1334
Single floor split by stone vault to create another floor then a fourth was added on top (layout is still visible today
Kitchen, pantry and buttery built in inner bailey against southern curtain wall
New Great Hall built and West Tower enlarged with windows and latrines added
Latrines also built on north-west end of chamber block
Latrine Tower
Southwest and southeast sides enclosed as private parkland for Lord to hunt
Closest area for hunting called La Haye
15th Century
Castle kept much the same as 14th Century
Bakehouse and Brewhouse added in northwest part of castle
Site Evidence
South Barbican
Can see changes made in 14th Century
2 chambers against original wall
Larger had fireplace and latrine
Latrine turret added
Site evidence of drain suggests small kitchen
Wing Walls
Added around 1300
Evidence of heightening of West and East Towers (different coloured stone)
Decorative Ear Turrets in style of Beauchamp Tower
Can see shape of D-shaped tower and different floors
15th Century
Remains of Brewhouse and Bakehouse (northwest corner)
Location of Great Hall, Kitchen, Buttery and Pantry areas
Raised Dais and entrance to West Tower
Hambleton Cistern Ware (from 14th and 15th Century)
Used to carry water, wine, beer, ect.
Use and Purpose
14th Century
When William De Roos III died in 1343 there was a brief investigation into his death, recording a lot about lands and staff
Parks and orchards, a parker, a constable, a chaplain
Shows diversity
Stated it would cost at least £6 13s. 4d. per year to maintain castle and buildings
Surprisingly cheap for such a small castle
Suggests it was kept in good repair by De Roos family as their main residence
Main domestic residence for Lord (De Roos family)
Dominated village of Helmsley
Acted ad Lord of the Manor
administered justice to local area
More alterations meant more work was provided for local skilled labourers (e.g. masons)
Priest lived at castle to give private mass in chapel for family
De Roos entertained at castle
Mianly hunting
15th Century
Continued domestic role
Links to National Events
14th Century
Battle of Byland in 1322
Edward II hid at Rievaulx
Scots defeated English
Castle not touched
Either too strong or not important enough to attack
King Edward III visited in 1334 for 5 days on way to Scotland
Renovations to East Tower made in advance
15th Century
Thomas De Roos III involved in 100 Year's War and Wars of the Roses
His execution meant castle passed to crown and briefly to Richard of Gloucester (Richard III)
Comparisons to Other Sites
Pickering
More defence changes in 14th Century
Strengthened by King Edward III due to threat of Scottish invasion
Alnwick
Passed to Percy family in 1309
Similar to De Roos family in terms of stable baronial family owning in Medieval times
Octagonal Towers added
Involved in Wars of the Roses
Scarborough
Richard III stayed in 1484 whilst preparing to resist Henry Tudor