right|240px|upright|thumbnail|Great Tower of Tattershall Castle showing the three separate entrances

Tattershall Castle is a castle in Tattershall, Lincolnshire, England. Since 1925 it has been in the care of the National Trust.

History

Tattershall Castle has its origins in either a stone castle or a fortified manor house, built by Robert de Tattershall in 1231. This was largely rebuilt in brick, and greatly expanded, by Ralph Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell, Treasurer of England, in the 15th century.

Brick castles are less common in England than stone or earth and timber constructions; when brick was chosen as a building material it was often for its aesthetic appeal or because it was fashionable. The trend for using bricks was introduced by Flemish weavers. There was plenty of stone available nearby, but Cromwell chose to use brick.

Of Lord Cromwell's castle, the high Great Tower and moat still remain. It is thought that the castle's three state rooms were once splendidly fitted out and the chambers were heated by immense Gothic fireplaces with decorated chimney pieces and tapestries. It has been said that the castle was an early domestic country mansion masquerading as a fortress. He undertook restorations of the castle between 1911 and 1914. The design was extremely simple, with four floors, slightly increasing in size at each level by reductions in wall thickness. The Parlour is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies for up to 80 guests.

References

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Further reading

  • Tattershall Castle information at the National Trust