Mitford Castle - Architecture

Architecture

The castle ruins are ashlar quality squared stone construction. The inner ward was built in the early 12th century. The western section of the inner ward is on a stepped plinth and includes a large rounded archway. The eastern section of the inner ward wall has a rounded round arch to the outer ward of 19th century reconstruction. The inner ward contains an unusual pentagonal keep that stands to the first floor and dates from the early 13th century. The keep was built on the highest point at the northern most area of the castle with each of its five sides being of a different dimension, and its internal area measuring approximately 22 sq ft (2.0 m2). The triangular outer ward to the south and east was built in the late 12th century. The divided basement contains two barrel-vaulted chambers that may have been used as cisterns.

The chapel, built in the mid 12th century and largely destroyed in the early 19th century, is also of squared stone. A sanctuary or chancel arch remain. A cemetery was uncovered in 1939 north of the chapel with headstones dating to the 12th century. At least one stone was moved to the Mitford churchyard with others removed or vandalized.

Remains of a 12-13th century east curtain wall of squared stone include a gateway to a barmkin, mural chambers, garderobe, and a round arch. This east curtain wall area is flanked by a semicircular breastwork; the strongest part of the building. The west curtain wall and structures are also of the 12-13th century and squared stone, with different builds and masonry types found across three different sections.

An inner courtyard used as a garden and orchard measured approximately 340 ft (100 m) by 340 ft (100 m).