Kirby Muxloe Castle

SK 50 SW, 4/43

KIRBY MUXLOE, OAKCROFT AVENUE, Kirby Muxloe Castle

GV

I

Ruins of castle. Begun 1480 for William, Lord Hastings, who was beheaded June 1483 leaving most of the construction incomplete. Narrow red brick with diapering and figured ornament in blue headers; some stone dressings. No roofs. Rectangular courtyard plan with towers projecting at corners and centres of each side. Surrounded by a moat. Only gatehouse at centre of north west side and west tower ever neared completion; remainder survives only in plan marked by foundations and low base walls. Foundations of earlier manor house are visible in courtyard. Gatehouse is of 2 storeys, with chambers flanking central entrance, large chamber above, and octagonal corner towers. To either side are the beginnings of spur walls of side ranges. Chamfered stone plinth with stone gunports above; chamfered stone string at first floor level. Large central gateway of moulded stone with 4-centred arch and ashlar panel above, all recessed behind slot for portcullis. Remainder of lower storey is blind on north front. Upper storey has 2 stone mullion and transom windows to main chamber each window with pair of arched lights in rectangular moulded surround. Central blind rectangular niche in carved stone surround, flanked by initials WH in blue header brick. Upper chambers of towers have single lights with arched heads and moulded surrounds. Walls of towers carry blue header motifs including a sleeve, a ship and a man. Courtyard front of gatehouse has 2-light stone windows flanking stone archway, and fragments of upper windows. Towers on this side have doorways with 4-centred stone arch- ways to spiral staircases lit by single lights with depressed arches and double chamfered brick surrounds. Staircases have fine helical brick vaults. Lower chambers have brick barrel vaults, with vaulted garderobes in north towers. Inner doorways have depressed arches of chamfered brick. Similar surrounds to fireplaces. Upper part of north east tower converted to dovecote. West tower is 3 storeys high with taller square turret projections on north east and south east sides, the former with spiral staircase. Plinth, gunports and strings as on gatehouse; also battlements. Stone windows with arched lights, each chamber with a 2-light window to either north west or south west, and single lights to remaining sides.

Scheduled Ancient Monument No 3. In care of English Heritage. (DOE guide, Kirby Muxloe Castle, by Sir Charles Peers, 1957 and 1983).

Listing NGR: SK5237904619