Walls Of The Outer Bailey At Beeston Castle

The walls of the outer bailey at Beeston Castle date back to around 1220 and were altered in the late 13th century to early 14th century. They were built for Ranulf de Blundeville, the 7th Earl of Chester, using roughly coursed red sandstone. The walling features a break where the former gatehouse was located. The southern section includes six D-shaped towers and one rectangular tower, while remnants of the southern tower of the gatehouse can be found at the northern end. Adjacent to this is a later 15th or 16th century square garderobe tower, followed by five additional D-shaped towers separated by curtain walling. Each tower has one or two lateral arrow slits that cover the curtain walls. The northern walling contains three D-shaped towers, and remnants of the northern tower of the gatehouse are at the southern end. Only the lower courses of the walls and towers remain, as the upper sections were demolished around 1646 or later. After the death of Ranulf de Blundeville's nephew, the castle came under Crown control. Edward I made modernizing alterations in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. By the late 16th century, the castle was described by Leland as "shattered and ruinous." In 1643, it was partially repaired and occupied by parliamentary troops, but was taken by Royalist forces the same year. It was partially demolished in 1646 to prevent its use as a stronghold. Archaeological evidence of Bronze and Iron Age settlements has been discovered on the site.