Image Copyright Chris Gunns
Built in the 1280's and into the early 1290's by the wealthy merchant Laurence of Ludlow, Stokesay Castle sits in amongst the beautiful views of the surrounding Onny Valley and complete with a moat, a gatehouse and additional 17thC Solar, is a brilliant preservation of English Medieval life.
The Castle boasts some of the finest detail in wood carving and floor tiles remaining from the Middle Age but also has a serene and quietly simple atmosphere which is a pleasure to take in as you take the tour around the grounds.
We went to visit this Castle a few weeks ago and unfortunately the Gatehouse, which doubles up as a Cafe, was not open due to the time of year however, you can take a tour of the buildings all year round and the gift shop provides excellent audio and written guides.
The first impression of the complex is the Gatehouse which is a 17thC addition to the grounds built between 1640-1641. The Biblical story of the fall of humankind is carved around the lintel in the entrance with classically Gothic details of trees, nature, grotesques, good and evil and of course, Adam & Eve. The detail of the carving is incredible and its preserved condition fantastic. Although the lintel has lost the brightly coloured paint that would have covered the figures and the rest of the engraved scene, the impression of medieval beliefs is still very potent.
Walking across the courtyard we went into the Great Hall, which as you can see from the beautiful picture produced by Chris Gunns above, is an unprecedented vestige of the wealth of Laurence of Ludlow and carpentry skill of the carpenters of the time.
The Great Hall boasts some of the finest workmanship in its surviving roof which is a rare remnant of the period. There are three great wooden arches supported below by pairs of struts. Looking up at the roof one gets a vivid impression of how grand it must have been to those who dined in the hall with Laurence, which will have been the principal function of the space. In the right hand corner of the Hall you can walk up the original set of stairs from the late 13thC, a striking survival considering the use of the Hall and its age. Each step is cut from whole tree trunks and as you ascend the staircase you can stop at the top to get a much closer view of the roof and its structure.
The first floor of the Hall, though now two rooms, would have originally been a single room and here you can find the excellently preserved ceramic floor tiles which decorate the whole right alcove of the first floor room. These ceramic tiles, which where produced throughout Europe, would have been extremely expensive and only usually found in large castles or large religious establishments.
On the second floor you can see an original fire place, which retains the 13thC wooden mantel and carved surround.
The Solar Block, which was refashioned in the 17thC, houses the most impressive wooden carving and one can walk around the lower room with a feeling of great opulence and grandeur. The most impressive feature of the room is the Ornamental, which is divided up within its design into four pillars shaped as human figures. Once again this would have been originally brightly coloured but traces of several pigments can still be seen today if viewed closely.
I particularly enjoyed finding the peepholes that look down into the Great Hall. These are in the wooden paneling which surrounds the rooms circumference. You can imagine the ladies on finishing a bite to eat, peering into the Hall to judge the local men and spy at their conversation.
The South Tower of Stokesay is wonderful. As i walked up the tiny dark staircase onto the second floor the brilliance of the sunlight beamed across the room through the beautiful windows, some of which have little benches either side on which you can sit and view the tranquil atmosphere of the encompassing landscape.
My trip to Stokesay was truly enjoyable and i would thoroughly recommend a visit. The information provided for the visitor is excellent and detailed and the sheer preservation of the compex is well worth any enthusiasts time.
For more information on visiting Stokesay Castle please visit the English Heritage website below:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stokesay-castle/
See also:
http://www.castlewales.com/stokesay.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stokesay_Castle
http://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/castles/stokesay/
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