Ruins Of Wressle Castle

WRESSLE BREIGHTON ROAD SE 73 SW (west side, off)

5/145 Ruins of Wressle Castle 16.12.66 GV Castle. c1380 with later alterations and repairs. For Sir Henry Percy. Limestone ashlar with brick repair work. The south range only survives, consisting of 2 towers flanking a central rectangular range. The original hall formed the west range, and the gatehouse the east range, while the rectangle was completed by a north service range. South facade: central 3- storey, 6-bay range with 3-storey, 2-bay tower to left and 4-storey, 2-bay tower to right. The towers break forward slightly and their inner returns are occupied by square turrets. Double chamfered plinth. Left tower: blocked central square-headed 2-light mullioned window with blocked lancet to right. First floor: tall empty window opening with fine angel corbel to support original oriel. 2-light trefoiled transomed window to right. Second floor: stepped-in and with 2-light trefoiled transomed windows. Octagonal turret to north-west corner. Main range: irregular fenestration with square-headed slit windows to flanking turrets. Ground floor: all openings blocked. Square-headed doorway with trefoiled single-light window above. Otherwise round-headed windows of single, 2, 3 and 5 lights. First floor: tall window of 3 round-headed lights to left. Three trefoiled 2- light transomed windows with quatrefoils pierced through spandrels, rising through 2 storeys, to centre. Pair of square-headed single-light windows and a single-light trefoiled window to right. Second floor: single-light trefoiled window to left, 2 square-headed single-light windows to right. Octagonal chimney with elaborate cap to right turret. Right tower: pair of square-headed single-light windows flanked by single-light trefoiled windows, all blocked. First floor: 2-pairs of cinquefoiled windows with inverted trefoiled light flanked by niches to spandrels. Second and third floors each have paired trefoiled windows. Eaves string course and plain coped parapets throughout. Rear wall of central range similar to front facade. Interior: some 4-centred-arched fireplaces remain but the lavish plasterwork for which the castle was renowned was destroyed in a fire of 1796. The rest of the castle was demolished in 1648-50. Scheduled as an Ancient Monument. Neave D, "Wressle Castle", Archaeological Journal, Vol 141, 1984, pp 58-60. Pevsner N, Yorkshire: 'York and the East Riding, 1972.

Listing NGR: SE7066031547