Mitford Castle - History

History

Prior to the 1066 Norman conquest, the castle was held by Sir John de Mitford, whose only daughter and heiress, Sybilla Mitford, was given in marriage by William the Conqueror to the Norman knight, Richard Bertram. In the late 11th century, it was an earthwork fortress of the Bertram family, and of record as William Bertram's oppidum in 1138. In 1215, it was seized by John de Balliol, King of Scotland's troops. In 1264, the castle was held by the third Roger Bertram, but in that year, it was seized from him and committed to the custody of William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke, King Henry's half-brother. It was held by Alexander de Balliol, the son of John de Balliol and the elder brother of King John, in 1275. During the rebellion in Northumberland set in the 1310s, Mitford Castle was seized from the Valence family by Sir Gilbert de Middleton. In 1315, Mitford Castle was used by Sir Gilbert for kidnappings and as a prisoner hold, when Ralph de Greystock seized de Middleton for treason.

There are conflicting accounts over the castle's destruction. One theory is of a fire during Middleton's rebellion. Another theory is that it was destroyed by the Scots in May 1318 during Middleton's imprisonment in the Tower of London. It was certainly destroyed by 1323 as records of an inquest held that year after the death of Sir Aymer de Valence state Mitford Castle to be " entirely destroyed and burnt." At the time of his death in 1335, Mitford Castle had been seized from its then holder, David de Strathbogie, 12th Earl of Athol, 2nd baron.

The estate, including the castle, was purchased by the Bruce Shepherd family in 1993 from the Mitford family. English Heritage grants in the 2000s were offered towards repairs, restoration and preservation, and some of the work has been completed.