THE CASTLE. Harewood Castle is one of those remarkable structures which are occasionally found in the northern counties, presenting an odd mixture of convenience and magnificence, with cautious designs for protection and defence. Much of its history is involved in obscurity. It cannot boast of the same historical reputation as Conisbro', Pontefract, or Knaresbro'; but like the neighbouring castle of Spofforth it appears to have been re-erected as a noble residence for the Lord of the Manor. It stands on a steep slope at the northern extremity of the village, overlooking the valley of the Wharf in one direction, and to the south east the vale of York. Camden states there was a castle here in very early times. He says, "After this, Wherf runneth hard by, with his bankes on both sides reared up, and consisting of that limestone, which maketh grounds fat and fertile; where I saw Harewood Castle of good strength, which, by the alteration of times, hath often changed his Lords. Long since it belonged to the Curcies, but by Alice, an Inheritrice, it came to Warin Fitz-Gerold, who had taken her to wife: whose daughter, Margerie, and one of his heires, being endowed with a very great estate of living, was first married unto Baldwin de Ripariis, the Earles sonne of Devonshire, who dyed before his father; afterwards to Folque de Brent, by the beneficial favour of King John, for his approved service in pilling, polling, and spoiling most cruelly. But when at length Isabell de Ripariis, Countesse of Devonshire, departed this life without issue, this Castle fell unto Robert de L'isle, son of Warin, as unto her cozin in bloud and one of her heires: in the end by those of Aldbor rough, it descended to the Rithers."* From this statement it appears that a castle existed here in very early times, certainly prior to the reign of King John. He however fixes upon no date and it is not at all improbable that the original building was erected during the reign of Stephen who granted permission to the Barons to erect castles, and, during whose short reign of eighteen years, upwards of 1100 of them were erected in various parts of the kingdom. Mr. King in his ingenious History of British Castles, gives the following drawings of two windows which formerly existed, but which have disappeared. * Camden passed through Yorkshire about the year 1582. The style of architecture evidently points to the Norman, and the Norman transition period, and strengthens the statement of Camden, that a castle existed here in very early times. And although the present ruin is referred to a much later date, yet it is exceedingly probable that some portion of the old castle is incorporated in the present building, as many parts of the walls of the main body exhibit certain peculiarities in their construction, which may be deemed of considerable antiquity. The present edifice is supposed to have been chiefly built about the reign of Edward I., and to have been completed in the reign of Edward III., if any regard is to be paid to the style of architecture, and if any inferences are to be drawn from the very peculiar ornaments in various parts of it. The arms of Aldburgh over the entrance outside, appear to indicate who was the improver, if not the rebuilder of a considerable portion of it. Sir William de Aldburgh, of Aldburgh, in Richmondshire, having married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Robert, Lord de L'isle, about the year 1327, the castle and manor of Harewood were conceded to him by Fine, by his brotherin-law, Robert, Lord de L'isle, of Rougemont. Having made Harewood his chief residence, he set about rebuilding and restoring the castle, which was completed during the reign of Edward III. The arms of Baliol, King of Scotland, are placed over the entrance portal in conjunction with Aldburgh. These arms of the Scotch monarch have puzzled every historian who has treated of the Castle. King, Grose, and Whitaker, each of them have imagined, that Baliol was entertained here when driven out of his kingdom, and that they were put up for a com |