1842 print CASTLE IN FOTHERINGHAY, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, ENGLAND, #107 |
Print from steel engraving titled Chateau de Fothringay, published in a volume of L'Univers Pittoresque, Paris, approx. page size 22 x 13.5 cm, approx. image size 13.5 x 9 cm.
Fotheringhay Castle
Fotheringhay Castle (also Fotheringay Castle) was in the village
of Fotheringhay 3 1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) to the north of the market town of Oundle,
Northamptonshire (grid reference TL061930). It was probably founded around 1100
by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton. In 1113, possession passed to Prince
David of Scotland when he married Simon's widow. The castle then descended with
the Scottish princes until the early 13th century when it was confiscated by
King John of England.
By 1220, Fotheringhay Castle was controlled by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl
of Chester. In January the following year, the castle was briefly captured by
William II de Forz, 3rd Earl of Albemarle, in his rebellion against King Henry
III. Forz abandoned the castle and Henry III took it under his control;
Fotheringhay remained in royal hands until the reign of Edward II.
It was a favoured residence of the Dukes of York, and King Richard III was born
here in 1452.
It was also the final place of imprisonment of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was
tried and executed in the castle in 1587.
In the 1630s the castle was dismantled and most of the masonry removed, leaving
only the earthworks. The castle site is protected as a Scheduled Monument and is
open to the public.