Nottingham Castle (Nottingham)
| Locality | |
|---|---|
| Coordinate | 52.94954, -1.154659 |
| Adm. div. | Nottinghamshire |
| Vicinity | Castle Road |
| Type | Building |
| Interest | Local traditions |
| Status | Extant |
| First Record | 1963 |
By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2020-10-10. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2021-01-07.
Nottingham Castle, built by William the Conqueror, sits in a commanding position on a promontory known as "Castle Rock", with 40 m high cliffs to the south and west. During the Middle Ages it was a major royal castle and an occasional royal residence. In decline by the 16th century, the castle was largely demolished in 1649. The Duke of Newcastle later built a mansion on the site, which was burnt down by rioters in 1831 and left as a ruin. This was later rebuilt to house an art gallery and museum, which are still in use. Thus not much of the original castle survives, but enough remains to give an impression of the layout of the site. Robin Hood-related art in the form of a statue, reliefs, and a topiary, is found within the castle grounds, mainly at or near the Castle's gatehouse.
While it has connections with Robin Hood, these are not really close. There are local traditions to the effect that Robin was imprisoned there, but also that the outlaws used caves in the sandstone beneath the castle as hiding places.[1]
Gazetteers
- Not included in Dobson, R. B., ed.; Taylor, J., ed. Rymes of Robyn Hood: an Introduction to the English Outlaw (London, 1976), pp. 293-311.
Sources
- Brentnall, Margaret. 'Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest', [Unknown British travel and tourism magazine] (1963-12), pp. 15-17, 58, see p. 17
- Nottingham Wayfarers' Rambling Club; Price, Roland, introd. The Robin Hood Walks: A Comprehensive Guide to Walks in Robin Hood Country including the Third Edition of the Guide to the Full Route of Nottinghamshire's First Recreational Footpath, The Robin Hood Way (Leicester: Cordee, ©1994), pp. xii, 3-4, 7 (map)
Maps
- 25" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.6 (1884; surveyed 1879–80)
- 25" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.6 (1901; rev. 1899) (georeferenced)
- 25" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.6 (1901; rev. 1899)
- 25" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.6 (1915; rev. 1913)
- 6" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.NW (1885; surveyed 1880–81)
- 6" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.NW (1901; rev. 1899) (georeferenced)
- 6" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.NW (1901; rev. 1899)
- 6" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.NW (1920; rev. 1919)
- 6" O.S. map Nottinghamshire XLII.NW (c. 1947; rev. 1938).
Background
- Green, Emanuel. 'Nottingham Castle', The Archaeological Journal, vol. LVIII, Second Series, vol. VIII (1901), pp. 365-97
- Nottingham Castle Project
- Wikipedia: Nottingham Castle.
Also see
Notes