Hayton Castle

Last updated

Hayton Castle gates HaytonCastleGates.jpg
Hayton Castle gates

Hayton Castle is a fortified house situated to the North-East of the village of Hayton in Cumbria.

Contents

Preface

The castle is a 14th- or 15th-century tower house; extended in the 16th and 17th centuries and converted into a house. [1] Hayton Castle is a simple rectangular house, with windows from three periods – 15th Century, Elizabethan and Georgian. There are very thick walls, and there's a barrel vault in the basement – indicating a fortified house. [2] During the 17th century it was occupied by a branch of the Musgrave family. [3] It was officially designated as a Grade I listed building on 11 April 1967. [4]

History

Hayton Castle is the centre of a small manor within the baronetcy of Allerdale, whose families have featured prominently in the history of Cumberland. The manor of Hayton was originally granted by Alan, second Lord of Allerdale, to his huntsman Seliff, whose descendants in consequence assumed the name De Hayton. [5]

From the Hayton's, this manor passed by a succession of female heirs to Robert de Mulcaster, through his marriage to an heiress of the powerful Lucy family. William de Mulcaster, son of Robert, was High Sheriff of Cumberland for two periods between 1298 and 1306, and various members of that family appear to have been Knights of the shire of Cumberland during the 14th century. This line possessed the manor for five generations, but through the failure of the male issue it passed to Piers Jeffrey Tilliol, by his marriage to the heiress. Piers had two daughters Isabella and Margaret. Isabella, who received Hayton, married John Colville of Torpenhow. Colville died in 1438 and his line came to an end in 1479, once more with two daughters, who both married younger sons of Sir Thomas Musgrave (1417–1469) of Hartley Castle. [6]

It was from this marriage of Margaret Colville and Nicholas Musgrave (1450–1506), fourth son of Sir Thomas, that sprang the line through which the manor was handed down for fourteen generations, lasting about 300 years. He was succeeded by Thomas Musgrave, Marshal of Berwick (1483–1532). His son William Musgrave, MP, of Hayton (1518–1597) inherited the estate. He was succeeded by Sir Edward Musgrave, MP (1561–1641). His son William (1596–1634) was the next to inherit the estate, followed by his son Edward. Sir Edward Musgrave, 1st Baronet of Hayton Castle (1621–1676) was made a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1638. He was succeeded by his son Sir Richard Musgrave, 2nd Baronet (1650–1710). Upon his death the estate fell to his son and heir, Sir Richard Musgrave, 3rd Baronet (1675–1711). He was a Member of Parliament for the Cumberland constituency in 1701 and 1702–1708. After his death the estate passed to Sir Richard Musgrave 4th Baronet (170–1739). Sir Richard Musgrave 5th Baronet (1724–1755), took the name of Hylton, pursuant to the will of his uncle, John Hylton of Hilton Castle, and dying without issue, the title went to his brother, Sir William Musgrave 6th Baronet (1735–1800), a commissioner of the customs. [7] After William's death the title went to his younger brother Sir Thomas Musgrave 7th Baronet (1737–1812), a general in the British Army. Thomas was succeeded by a distant cousin, Sir James Musgrave, 8th Baronet of Barnsley Park, Gloucestershire. Sir James Musgrave died in 1814, and was succeeded by his son, Sir James Musgrave, 9th Baronet (1785–1858). The manor of Hayton did not accompany the title, and shortly afterwards it became the property of Mrs. Jolliffe (relative of William Jolliffe, Esq. M. P. for Petersfield, who died in 1802), the younger daughter, and eventually sole heiress of Sir Richard Musgrave Bart. [8] The Joliffe family did not live at the castle preferring to lease it as a tenant farm. Among past tenant farmers since that time we find, the Reverend Isaac Robinson, 1916; John Blackburn and his son 1828; John Blackstock, Nancy his widow 1882; Thomas Biglands, a well-known sportsman, tenant until 1903, when the property was purchased by David Mitchell, whose family retain the property today. Mitchell came from Scotland, having recently returned from South Africa, where he had served in the British Army for three years during the Anglo Boer War. [9]

Description

One should assume that no building of any great importance existed at Hayton before the rise of the Mulcaster family. Sir Piers de Tilliol apparently preferred to live at Scaleby and as such left no mark at Hayton, leaving most of the building and alterations which gave the castle its present-day appearance to the Musgrave family. Today the building is a rectangle measuring about 29 metres from North to South and 16 metres from East to West. The north end is the best preserved, and most of the extensive alterations have been carried out at the south end. The most curious feature of the main fabric is a 2-metre thick wall in the centre of the building, probably a survivor of the original castle. [5] Hayton Castle is one of several places in Cumberland which offered hospitality to Mary, Queen of Scots and it is said that she spent a night here on 17 May 1568. [10] On leaving she presented her host with a miniature painting of herself, forming the centre of a plain gold ring, a treasure that passed through many generations. She is said however to have spent the same night at Cockermouth. [11]

The old manorial residence has come down from its former high estate and now serves the purpose of a farm house. However it still bears reminders of its illustrious past. There are three staircases within the castle, the main stairway is made of stone and at the first turn, situated in the wall, is the Musgrave shield. It contains six annulets, three, two and one with a martlet below the three, while parallel is seen the bend raguly on a field gules, of the Penruddock family of Arkelby, a branch of the old lords of Penruddock. The coat of arms was probably erected by Sir Edward Musgrave, who married Catherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Penruddock of Arkelby and Exeter. Sir Edward's mother was a Martindale, hence the arms outside. The annulet is the cadency device of their fifth son, while the martlet is that of the fourth son. The crest of the Musgrave's consists of two arms in armour, hands gauntleted proper and grasping an annulet which may represent Hylton. The stone slab bears the legend LAVS. TIBI. DNE REX .GL. ORIE. (Praise to Thee, O God, the King of Glory). The arms follow, the crest piercing the space between the first and second and third and fourth words above given. Then follows the date AD 1609, and the words:- PRECOR. VT.SIMVS. MEMORES. BENEFICI ORUM. ERGA. NOS. The petitioner entreats the King of Kings out of his love to be mindful of himself and family and to show his favour towards them. [9] A second spiral stone staircase, which is evidently a remnant of a long flight of stairs ascending from the floor to roof is a slab relating to the existence of a domestic chapel that once existed somewhere below. This slab in an old window in the east wall bears the following inscription:-

“This chapel was repaired at the proper cost of Ann Musgrave, third daughter of Sir Richard Musgrave, Baronet, and Dame Dorothy, his wife, in ye year Anno Domini, 1719.”

According to some observers this refers to an oratory in the castle itself. Alternatively it is said that formerly there was a chapel adjacent to the castle, and that the inscription refers o a restoration of the building. It is said that this same chapel was in use till 1820, when it was dismantled and rapidly fell in decay. No trace of it now remains. [11] While above the 17th century fireplace is another example of the Musgrave arms thought to have been erected by Anne Musgrave daughter of Sir Richard and his wife Dorothy. On an outside wall, the north wall, is the coat of arms of Martindale or Mulcaster, viz., Argent and gules, with a bend sable. In the garden is a stone sundial bearing the initials of Sir Richard, son of Sir Edward, and Anne his wife with a date of 1725. [11]

English Civil War

The English Civil War did not deal kindly with Hayton Castle or its owners. Sir Edward Musgrave, created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1638 was an ardent Royalist, and spared neither his person nor his fortune in this cause. He maintained a regiment of horse at his own expense and in 1648, with the rank of colonel took part in the Battle of Preston. [12] and it is recorded that when, at the Battle of Worcester, the horse of King Charles II was shot from under him, Sir Edward dismounted and supplied the King with his own horse. After the defeat Musgrave found refuge in Scotland with the Duke of Gordon, and so badly was he wanted by the Parliament that when his refuge was discovered Cromwell informed the Duke that “if he did not forthwith deliver up Ned Musgrave he would send a troop of horse to storm his castle”. Musgrave was allowed to escape and he fled to the Isle of Man where he afterwards died. Hayton Castle received considerable damage from the Parliamentary forces. The south end, the most vulnerable, came off worse as after the war was over; this portion was entirely rebuilt by Sir Edward's son Richard. [5] Hayton Castle is one of several places in Cumberland which offered hospitality to Mary, Queen of Scots and it is said that she spent a night here on 17 May 1568. On leaving she presented her host with a miniature painting of herself, forming the centre of a plain gold ring, a treasure that passed through many generations. She is said however to have spent the same night at Cockermouth. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlisle Castle</span> Castle in Cumbria, England

Carlisle Castle is a medieval stone keep castle located in the city of Carlisle near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall. First built during the reign of William II in 1092 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122, the castle is over 930 years old and has been the scene of many episodes in British history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coxwold</span> Village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England

Coxwold is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England, in the North York Moors National Park. It is 18 miles north of York and is where the Rev. Laurence Sterne wrote A Sentimental Journey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hylton Castle</span> Castle in Sunderland, UK

Hylton Castle is a stone castle in the North Hylton area of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. Originally built from wood by the Hilton family shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, it was later rebuilt in stone in the late 14th to early 15th century. The castle underwent major changes to its interior and exterior in the 18th century and it remained the principal seat of the Hylton family until the death of the last Baron in 1746. It was then Gothicised but neglected until 1812, when it was revitalised by a new owner. Standing empty again until the 1840s, it was briefly used as a school until it was purchased again in 1862. The site passed to a local coal company in the early 20th century and was taken over by the state in 1950.

There have been four baronetcies created for persons with the surname Musgrave, one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, one in the Baronetage of Ireland and one in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. As of 2014 two of the creations are extant.

The sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct so that its functions are now largely ceremonial. The sheriff changes every April.

The Musgrave family was a prominent Anglo-Scottish Border family with many descendants in the United States of America, Australia and the United Kingdom a so-called Riding or Reiver clan of Cumberland and Westmorland. The earliest record of the Musgraves is Gamel, Lord of Musgrave, noted as being "of the county of Westmorland and divers manors in county Cumberland, living in the time of King Edward the Confessor (1042-1065) predating the Norman Conquest." The Musgraves though often Wardens of the West March during the times of the Reivers and among the fourteen most notorious of the reiving clans were known locally as de’ils (devils) dozen and consisted of the following families: Armstrong, Bell, Carleton, Dacre, Elliot, Graham, Johnstone, Kerr, Maxwell, Musgrave, Nixon, Routledge, Scott and Storey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilton Castle, North Yorkshire</span> Former mansion, now residential apartments in North Yorkshire, England

Wilton Castle is an early 19th-century mansion, built on the site of a medieval castle, now converted into residential apartments, situated at Wilton, in Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire, England. It is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combe Sydenham</span>

Combe Sydenham is an historic manor in Somerset, England. The 15th-century manor house, called Combe Sydenham House is in the parish of Stogumber, Somerset and is situated just within the boundary of Exmoor National Park. It is a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1st Baronet, of Isell</span>

Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1st Baronet, of Isel Hall, Cumberland (c. 1610–1688) was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1679.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilfrid Lawson (MP for Cockermouth)</span> English politician

Wilfrid Lawson of Brayton Hall, Cumberland was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1659 and 1660.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scaleby Castle</span> Castle in Cumbria, England

Scaleby Castle is in the village of Scaleby, Cumbria, England. The castle was originally built in the early 14th century, and extended in the 15th century to form a substantial fortification. Parliamentary troops attacked the castle twice during the English Civil War, burning it. It was later restored to form a country house.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Langrigg</span> Human settlement in England

Langrigg is a hamlet in Cumbria, England. It lies to the northeast of Aspatria and south of Abbeytown, just to the southwest of Bromfield. Historically, it formed part of the Langrigg and Mealrigg township, in the Parish of Bromfield, then an independent parish from 1894 until 1934.

Richard Musgrave may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isel Hall</span> Ancient Cumbrian residence

Isel Hall is an ancient Cumbrian residence that sits on a steep rise on the northern banks of the River Derwent, two miles (3.2 km) south of Bassenthwaite Lake, three miles (4.8 km) east-north-east of Cockermouth, with views over the Lake District fells and Skiddaw. It was once the home of the Lawson family and is a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Kentigern's Church, Aspatria</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Kentigern's Church stands in the village of Aspatria, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the rural deanery of Maryport, the archdeaconry of Carlisle and the diocese of Carlisle. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. It is dedicated to St Kentigern, the apostle of Strathclyde, whom it is believed passed by and preached at the Holy well, on his way into exile in Wales, in the 6th century. He was also known as Mungo, which means good friend.

Sir Edward Musgrave, 1st Baronet, was one of the Musgrave Baronets of Hayton Castle.

William Musgrave MP, (1518–1597) of Hayton Castle was an English politician, Member of Parliament for the Cumberland Division.

St James Church, Hayton, Cumbria is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Solway, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland and the diocese of Carlisle. The church dates from the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet</span> British Army general

General Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet was an English soldier. He rose to the rank of general in the British Army and was noted for his service during the American Revolutionary War. He is one of the Musgrave baronets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayton and Mealo</span>

Hayton and Mealo is a civil parish in Allerdale district, Cumbria. The only settlement is Hayton, a village in the centre of the parish, which had a population of 237 in the 2011 census. In 1848, its population was 378.

References

  1. "Hayton Castle". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  2. "Hayton Castle". visitcumbria.com. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  3. Lee, Sidney, ed. (1893). "Lowther, Richard"  . Dictionary of National Biography . Vol. 34. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  4. "British Listed Buildings" . Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Bulmer, pp. 122–123.
  6. Betham, Rev. William (1803). The baronetage of England, or The History of the English baronets, and such baronets of Scotland, as are of English families; with genealogical tables, and engravings of their coats of arms. Burrell and Bransby. p.  86. Sir Thomas Musgrave 1469. colville.
  7. Rose, pp. 133-134.
  8. "Parishes: Addingham – Aspatria". british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  9. 1 2 West Cumberland Times, 4 October 1919.
  10. Rose, p. 64.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Bailey, pp. 75–76.
  12. "Sir Edward Musgrave's Troop of Horse". bcw-project.org. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2015.

Bibliography

Coordinates: 54°45′45″N3°23′03″W / 54.762593°N 3.384152°W / 54.762593; -3.384152