Venue Type & Location
Performance Spaces
Overview
The red and grey sandstone castle is located on a fine defensive site at the NW corner of a plateau rising high above the confluence of the River Teme with the Corve.
The fortified site was strengthened by steep cliffs on the N and W sides and a deep ditch cut into the rock on the town side. A wall and deep ditch further protected the original, now inner, bailey. The outer bailey was also enclosed by a wall with towers.
The entrance remains through a late 12th c. gatehouse off the High Street. Most of the stonework remains although floors and walls are lacking.
Performance History
A performance by Lord Stafford's Players is recorded at Ludlow Castle in 1577.
In 1634 the castle was the setting for the first performance of Milton's masque of Comus, to celebrate the installation of the Earl of Bridgewater as President of the Council.
It is possible that performances by Pembroke's Men also took place here during the years when Henry Herbert was Lord President of the Marches of Wales although his household records have not yet been discovered.
Current Status
History of the Venue
ca. 1085 Roger de Lacy built a castle on the site, probably including most of the remaining inner bailey walls, the gatehouse tower and the 4 square open-backed towers. For most of the next 2 centuries the castle was held by the de Lacys, although the family was sometimes in conflict with the Crown, with consequent disruption in ownership.
later 12th c. Outer bailey added.
ca. 1283--92 The de Lacy heir, Peter de Geneville, replaced an earlier building with the fine great hall and lower chamber block joined to an open-backed Norman tower (later remodelled) on the curtain wall. The first floor hall was built with a residential cross wing at the W end. Soon after, a second floor was added above the cross wing.
1306 Joan, heiress of Peter de Geneville, married Roger Mortimer of Wigmore. The castle became the stronghold of the Mortimers, Earls of March, for the next 2 centuries.
1308--28 Roger Mortimer added the double chamber block at the E end and completed the block W of the hall. The chapel was probably built in the same period.
1424 Richard, Earl of Cambridge, nephew of the 5th Earl of March, inherited Ludlow Castle.
1459 Captured by the Lancastrian forces and badly damaged.
1461 The castle became a Crown possession when Edward, 7th Earl of March, became Edward IV. Repairs undertaken.
1472 With the establishment of the Council of the Marches of Wales, the castle became its administrative headquarters.
1473--83 Used as a residence for the young Princes of Wales.
1501--2 Arthur, Prince of Wales, and his wife, Katherine of Aragon, in residence. Arthur died here.
ca. 1502 The castle became the residence of the President of the Council in the Marches of Wales.
1525--7 Princess Mary in residence. Some repairs carried out but sections of the castle remained in disrepair.
1559--86 Sir Henry Sidney, President of the Council in the Marches of Wales, undertook substantial renovations and repairs. Judges' lodgings built by the entrance to the inner bailey, as well as a new bridge, renovations to the chapel and the addition of a tennis court.
1646 Ludlow surrendered to parliamentary forces.
1650 Furnishings were sold.
1661 Repairs and new furniture purchased for the reinstated Council.
1689 With the abolition of the position of President of the Council in the Marches of Wales, the castle was allowed to fall into disrepair.
early 18th c. The lead was stripped from the roofs.
1811 Purchased by the Earl of Powis. Cared for in its ruined state since this time.
Record Source
REED Shropshire 1.85, 113
Patrons who owned this venue
| Name | Date | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Aragon, Katherine of | 1485-1536 | Queen of England |
| Aragon, Katherine of | 1485-1536 | Princess of Wales |
| Aragon, Katherine of | 1485-1536 | Princess of Spain |
| Compton, William | 1572-1630 | Knight of the Garter |
| Compton, William | 1572-1630 | Earl of Northampton |
| Compton, William | 1572-1630 | Baron Compton |
| Eure, Ralph | 1558-1617 | Baron Eure |
| Herbert, Henry | 1538-1601 | Lord Herbert |
| Herbert, Henry | 1538-1601 | Baron Herbert of Cardiff |
| Herbert, Henry | 1538-1601 | Earl of Pembroke |
| Sidney, Henry | 1529-1586 | Knight of the Garter |
| Sidney, Henry | 1529-1586 | Knight |
| Tudor, Arthur | 1486-1502 | Prince of Wales |
| Tudor, Arthur | 1486-1502 | Earl of Chester |
| Tudor, Arthur | 1486-1502 | Duke of Cornwall |
| Tudor, Mary | 1516-1558 | Queen of England |
| Tudor, Mary | 1516-1558 | Princess of England |
| Tudor, Mary | 1516-1558 | Princess of Wales |
| Tudor, Mary | 1516-1558 | Princess of England |
Bibliographic Sources
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