Early History
The Astley family held the manor from the 12th century. It is not thought likely that there was ever a true 'castle' at Astley. Although a licence to crenellate the manor house there was granted in 1266, the property was only ever a fortified house.
Sir William Astley died in 1420 leaving his estate to his daughter who had married a Lord Grey of Ruthin, a dynasty of the Welsh Marches.
The Greys rebuilt the manor house in 1555 and most of the remains date from this time or later. The rectangular building rose to two storeys with attics above hidden by embattled parapets.
Read more about this topic: Astley Castle
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