Helmsley Castle - Helmsley, North Yorkshire (EH)
Built in the late twelfth century, Helmsley is an example of the transition in castle design between the older motte and bailey type and the newer fortification enclosed in concentric rings of stone defences. Although much slighted after the Civil War siege of 1644, the remains show a contrast between the first stage of building under Robert de Roos and that of his grandson, who had the same name and built during the second half of the thirteenth century. He built two fully concentric ditches and banks and a large barbican, of which only the outer face and gatehouse survive. The older keep had an unusual design - built into a defensive bailey wall, its outer side was rounded, like the corner towers of the walls. Because of the rectangular table of rock on which Helmsley was built, the bailey plan is unusually regular.
During the sixteenth century, a range of domestic buildings were added against the west wall to adjoin the square west tower. The owner of the castle during the Civil War was the second Duke of Buckingham. Although not himself in residence during the siege, he later married the daughter of the Parliamentarian Sir Thomas Fairfax, who had caused the castle's surrender and levelled the curtain walls, barbican and inner keep.
Re-enactment of eighteenth century British troops at Helmsley Castle.