Muncaster Castle

Performance Spaces

Overview

History

Bibliographic Sources

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Early plan
View from the N
View from the S
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Venue Type & Location

Private Residence

Site Name: Muncaster Castle
Location: Muncaster Castle
County: Cumberland
Location Type: Countryside - at determined location
http://www.muncaster.co.uk

Overview

The castle stands on a magnificent site to the N of the confluence of the Esk and Mite Rivers at Ravenglass.

The original pele tower and possibly some adjacent walling remain at the SW end, but the castle was extensively reconstructed in the 18th c. and 19th c. The medieval great hall was situated at right angles to the pele tower.

Performance History

A possible performance venue. A troupe of entertainers sponsored by Sir John Pennington of Muncaster toured outside the county in the mid-15th c.

Current Status

Still owned by descendants of the Pennington family. Open to the public at specified times.

History of the Venue

mid-13th c. Fee of Ravenglass, including the manor of Muncaster, granted to Alan Pennington.

1325 Pele tower built.

15th c. Hall and kitchens added to the pele tower.

1783 Extensive reconstruction by 1st Baron Muncaster, including the demolition of the old kitchen wing and the extension of the hall range N.

1862--6 Further reconstruction and renovation by 5th Baron Muncaster with designs by Anthony Salvin. Salvin converted the original great hall to an entrance hall.

Record Source

REED York 1.67

Patrons who owned this venue

Name Dates Titles
Pennington, John 1393-1470 Knight

Bibliographic Sources

View a list of abbreviations.

  • Curwen, John F. The Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North-of-the-Sands. Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, es. Kendal: Titus Wilson, 1913.
  • Department of the Environment. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Np: Npub, nd.
  • Hugill, Robert. Castles and Peles of Cumberland and Westmorland. Newcastle upon Tyne: Frank Graham, 1977.
  • Hussey, Christopher. 'Muncaster Castle, Cumberland – I: the Home of Sir John Ramsden, Bt.' Country Life 87 (8 June 1940): 570–4.
  • Hussey, Christopher. 'Muncaster Castle, Cumberland – II: the Home of Sir John Ramsden, Bt.' Country Life 87 (15 June 1940): 592–5.
  • Hussey, Christopher. 'Muncaster Castle, Cumberland – III: the Home of Sir John Ramsden, Bt.' Country Life 87 (22 June 1940): 612–16.
  • King, David J. Cathcart. Castellarium Anglicanum: An Index and Bibliography of the Castles in England, Wales and the Islands. 2 vols. Millwood, NY, London and Nendeln, Liechtenstein: Kraus International Publications, 1983.
  • Mackenzie, James D. The Castles of England: Their Story and Structure. 2 vols. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1896.
  • Perriam, D.R., and J. Robinson. The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria: An Illustrated Gazetteer and Research Guide. Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, es. Kendal: Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, 1998.
  • Pettifer, Adrian. English Castles: A Guide by Counties. Woodbridge: The Boydell P, 1995.
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus. Cumberland and Westmorland. The Buildings of England. Harmondsworth, Midd: Penguin Books, 1967.
  • Robinson, John Martin. A Guide to the Country Houses of the North West. London: Constable, 1991.
  • Somerset Fry, Plantagenet. Castles of the British Isles. New York: Dorset P, 1990.