Kirby Muxloe Castle (Leicestershire)
Picturesque moated remains including the fine gatehouse and a complete corner tower.
Introduction
The picturesque moated remains - including the fine gatehouse and a complete corner tower - of this brick-built fortified mansion have recently been extensively conserved by English Heritage. Begun in 1480 by Lord Hastings, it was left unfinished after his execution by Richard III in 1483.
History to the present day
Settled by the Danes as early as the 9th century, the location of Kirby Muxloe was identified as Carbi (Caeri's settlement) in the Domesday Book. The settlement grew gradually and by the 15th century, a manor house stood on the site now occupied by the ruined castle. The house may have been built in the early 14th century, when the Hastings family first acquired the manor as a result of marriage. Lord Hastings who was Edward IV's second cousin acquired the manor in 1474 and obtained a license to crenellate the building although he did not proceed with work on the castle until 1480.
Hastings' political affiliations during the Wars of the Roses, when he fought for Edward IV and even followed the king into exile in eventually led to his downfall. Edward died in 1483, and as his heir Prince Richard was still in his minority, the King's brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester took the throne. Hastings continued to serve as Lord Chamberlain however he was soon charged with treason for allegedly plotting against the Regent. Within a week of the arrest he was beheaded on Tower Green, such was the threat the he appeared to pose.
Within a month of the execution, Richard had seized the throne and declared Edward IV's two heirs to the throne illegitimate. The Regent became King Richard III and shortly after he took the throne, the two boys, Prince Edward and his younger brother, Richard, disappeared. Richard III has often been blamed for the mysterious demise of the "Princes in the Tower."
Despite William's execution, the Hastings family retained control of the brickwork castle, and, for a time, continued the building program, roofing the towers and installing floors. In 1484 the burden became too much for Lady Hastings who abandoned the building. After King Henry VII assumed the throne in 1485, Edward Hastings regained the lordship, however he never returned to complete the construction of the castle.
In 1630 Sir Robert Banaster acquired Kirby Muxloe Castle but did little to maintain it and finally in 1911, Major Richard Winstanley placed Kirby Muxloe Castle under the guardianship of the Ministry of Works.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Kirby Muxloe Castle, Leicestershire, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
1 May-31 Aug 10am-5pm Sat, Sun, & Bank Hols.
Admission prices:
Adult:£3.00
Children:£1.50
Concession:£2.60
Photographs copyright English Heritage Photographic Library.
