Myddle Castle

Myddle Castle is a ruined castle dating back to circa 1307, originally built for Lord Lestrange of Knockin. The castle was constructed of dressed red sandstone with a rubble core, and features red and grey sandstone ashlar dressings. Only the former north-east corner remains, including the base of a corner stair turret, two sides of the rectangular moat’s inner retaining wall, and a small rectangular window within the remains of the northern wall. There are also remnants of a probable large, chamfered cross window with glazing-bar holes in the eastern wall, possibly indicating a former first-floor hall reminiscent of Acton Burnell. A moulded doorway with trefoil-headed arches and panelled spandrels leads to the stair turret's remains, which still exhibits the first few steps of a stone newel staircase. Further chamfered reveals and setbacks are visible on the stair turret's northern side. A stone inscription reads "Repaired by the Rt./Honble John Hume Egerton/ VISCOUNT ALFORD/OCTr.1849/[Henry?] Sheraton Steward." A dressed grey sandstone block with a carved shield is situated on the ground to the east of the remains. The moat retaining wall is constructed of dressed red sandstone with some rubble, arranged in an L-shape, approximately 46 metres long and 1.5 metres high. It forms the inner retaining wall of the moat’s eastern section, and half of that to the south. This section of the wall incorporates fragments of dressed and carved stone, likely from original castle buildings, including a chamfered stone block and a possible window or door head. Late 20th-century farm buildings and a yard, enclosed by a concrete block wall, now stand built over the moat’s eastern section. Lord Lestrange received a license to crenellate the castle in 1307. The castle likely ceased to be occupied around 1500, as recorded by John Leland, who described it as “veri ruinus” circa 1540. Historical photographs show the tower standing taller than it does currently; however, a former circular or octagonal ashlar battlemented top stage and a portion to the north collapsed in 1976. The collapsed battlemented top stage is thought to have been a romantic embellishment added during repairs in 1849 and is designated as County Ancient Monument No. 16.