Fotheringhay Castle (also Fotheringay Castle) was in the village of Fotheringhay 31⁄2 miles (5.6 km) to the north of the market town of Oundle, Northamptonshire (grid reference TL061930). It was probably founded around 1100 by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton. In 1113, possession passed to Prince David of Scotland when he married Simon's widow. The castle then descended with the Scottish princes until the early 13th century when it was confiscated by King John of England.
By 1220, Fotheringhay Castle was controlled by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester. In January the following year, the castle was briefly captured by William II de Forz, 3rd Earl of Albemarle, in his rebellion against King Henry III. Forz abandoned the castle and Henry III took it under his control; Fotheringhay remained in royal hands until the reign of Edward II. King Richard III was born here in 1452 and it was also where Mary, Queen of Scots, was tried and executed in 1587. The castle is protected as a Scheduled Monument and is open to the public.
Read more about Fotheringhay Castle: History, Later Period, Layout
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—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863)