Brougham Castle is located 1.5 miles from Penrith near the junction of the main road N from Kendal to Carlisle and the road NW to Carlisle from York. The castle stands on the S bank of the River Eamont near its confluence with the River Lowther.
Brougham Castle is now a picturesque ruin of historic military significance, mostly composed of the crumbling red sandstone keep and gatehouses. The E wing containing the great hall and kitchen no longer stands.
The entire complex of buildings was surrounded by a deep moat.
A possible performance venue. No medieval household records survive to prove that minstrels patronized by Thomas, 8th Baron Clifford, performed at home as well as elsewhere in the north in the 15th c.
It is also possible that late 16th and early 17th c. entertainers performed at Brougham for their patrons, although the Earls of Cumberland were principally resident in Yorkshire or at court in that period.
Francis Clifford, 4th Earl of Cumberland, played host to James I returning from his progress to Scotland in August 1617. Entertainments for that event included a lavish masque performed in the great chamber.
An English Heritage ruin open to the public at specified times.
ca.1214 Stone keep and service buildings constructed by Robert de Vipont.
1268 Castle passed to Roger de Clifford via marriage to Isabel de Vipont.
ca. 1300 During Robert, 1st Baron Clifford's ownership the stone curtain wall was built and a block of buildings on the E side probably containing the earlier hall on the first floor. W block erected against the S wall and upper storey added to the keep. SW Tower and inner and outer gatehouses built.
1309 1st Baron Clifford granted licence to crenellate.
ca. 1380 Roger, 5th Baron Clifford, extended the castle to the E, including the defensive curtain wall and the reconstruction of the great hall with its porch.
ca. 1550 Renovations and repairs by Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland.
late 16th c. Castle neglected by George, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, during his heyday at court. His widow was resident there until her death in 1616.
1640s Damaged during the Civil War.
1651--2 Restored by Lady Anne Clifford, George Clifford's daughter.
1676 Estate passed to the 3rd Earl of
Thanet upon the death of Lady Anne Clifford.
1691 Castle abandoned and demolition begun by the 6th Earl of Thanet.
1714 Furnishings, timber and lead sold. The roofless castle quickly became ruinous.
1928 Baron Hothfield placed the castle ruin under the custodianship of the Department of the Environment, Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings.
REED York 1. 66--7, 69, 71; Cumb/Westmld/Glouc 76, 240; Newcastle 130; Devon 159, 174
| Name | Dates | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Clifford, Francis | 1559-1641 | Knight of the , 4th Earl of |
| Clifford, George | 1558-1605 | 13th Baron , 3rd Earl of , Knight of the |
| Clifford, Thomas de | 1414-1455 | 8th Baron |
