Brough Castle - Brough, Cumbria (EH)
Like its nearby Clifford cousin Brougham castle, Brough castle was built to the south of a Roman fort or camp, in this case called Verteris, which was built to keep the northern Brigantes tribe in check. The nearby modern A66 follows the route of the earlier Roman road. Early Norman stonework survives in the base of the Keep, implying that the medieval castle here was always in stone, built shortly after William Rufus had taken Cumberland and Westmorland from the king of Scotland, in around 1175-1200. Defensive duties were always the castle's first priority and these were tested in 1174 by the Scottish King William the Lion. He blockaded Carlisle castle and attacked Brough. Only after valiant efforts by the six knights and their followers inside Brough was the castle surrendered. The attackers destroyed all but the base of the Keep and perimeter walls.
When King John of England gave the castle to Robert of Vieuxpont in 1203, he set about refortifying and built the gatehouse as well as repairing the Keep and curtain walls. He also added a hall across the courtyard, which later collapsed through neglect. The Cliffords built at Brough as they also built at Brougham when the castles came into their family. A new hall and the semi-circular tower added residential comfort as well as defensive capabilities.
Brough Castle, showing Clifford's Tower
Roger Clifford also carried out work here as well as at Brougham, but the Scottish invasion forces of 1388 left Brough intact, unlike its nearby counterparts. The Cliffords therefore occupied Brough during the next few years, until a disastrous fire gutted the whole castle during Christmas feasts in 1521.
The Keep
The redoubtable Lady Anne Clifford repaired Brough and her stone plaque commemorating her efforts was erected in 1663. She spent considerable time here, during her progressions between her various castles in the North, but this was the last period of occupation and with her death, the castle declined. Roofs and fittings were sold off by her heirs and the worked stone reused for local buildings. Even the commemorative plaque was reused, under the water-wheel at Brough mill.
An engraving of 1739 by the Buck Brothers shows Brough castle still substantially to its full height, but by the time it came under the protection of the Ministry of Works in 1920, it was only just saved from total collapse. It is now cared for by English Heritage.