Tutbury Castle is a largely ruined medieval castle still in the ownership of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The motte-and-bailey castle continued to be occupied and adapted as an enclosure castle. It has a rich history and worth a visit.

~ History ~

1068 ~ Following the Battle of Hastings, Tutbury is granted to Hugh D'Avranches who sets about building a motte and bailey castle.

1071 ~ Tutbury Castle is granted to Henri de Ferrers.

1086 ~ The Domesday Book records the caste and borough of Toteberie being the third largest town in Staffordshire, with 42 tradesmen.

1100's ~ The wooden tower on the motte is replaced with a stone keep.

1138 ~ Robert Ferrers, third son of Henri, fights at the victorious Battle of Standard in Yorkshire over the Scots King David I, and is awarded the title of Earl of Derby by King Stephen of England.

1153 ~ Tutbury castle is beseiged by Henry of Anjou, later King Henry II of England.

1173 ~ William Ferrers rebels against King Henry II. In response, Rhys ap Gruffydd, Welsh prince of Deheubarth, besieges Tutbury Castle on behalf of the King.

1175 ~ William comes to terms with King Henry II who orders the destruction of the castle.

1251 ~ King Henry III spends several days at the rebuilt castle.

1263 ~ Robert de Ferrers rebels against the King.

1264 ~ Lord Edward, son of King Henry and future King Edward I, attacks Tutbury castle causing severe damage.

1266 ~ The estates of Robert de Ferrers are confiscated by the King, who then awards them to his youngest son Edmund Crouchback.

1267 ~ Edmund is made first Earl of Lancaster. Tutbury Castle is restored and becomes part of the Lancaster estate.

1298 ~ Substantial repairs are made to the castle.

1322 ~ At the Battle of Burton Bridge, Thomas Lancaster flees, losing much of his treasure. His castle is burnt and looted.

1323 ~ King Edward II stays at the castle.

1326 ~ Tutbury is granted to Henry of Lancaster, Thomas's brother.

1351 ~ Henry's son is made first Duke of Lancaster.

1362 ~ John of Gaunt inherits the castle through his marriage to Henry's daughter Blanche. He is permitted to make repairs to the castle.

1393 ~ Work is undertaken on the curtain wall.

1399 ~ Henry of Lancaster becomes King Henry IV. The estates and castle become Crown property.

1404 ~ A new tower and west wall are built following the King's visit to the castle.

1440's ~ The south tower and south curtain wall are built.

1449 ~ The castle is given to Margaret of Anjou, wife of King Henry VI, as part of her marriage settlement.

1457 ~ The north tower is built.

1496 ~ Following years of decay and neglect, King Henry VII pays for repairs and a new range of buildings.

1511 ~ King Henry VIII visits the castle.

1523 ~ A survey of the castle reports a number of repairs needed.

1566 ~ The lodging of the castle are repaired and made watertight.

1568 ~ Mary, Queen of Scots, flees to England. Queen Elizabeth orders the castle be made ready to serve as her prison. 

1569 ~ Mary is imprisoned at the castle on three occasions over the next three years.

1585 ~ Tutbury Castle is Mary's home for much of the year.

1595 ~ A survey of the castle finds much of it in ruin.

1619 ~ King James I visits the castle and returns on two further occasions. 

1635 ~ A new more comfortable house is built into the castle wall.

1643 ~ A parliamentary force unsuccessfuly lays siege to the castle.

1645 ~ King Charles I and Rupert visit the castle.

1646 ~ Following a three week siege the terms of surrender include the destruction of the castle.

1647 ~ Parliament orders destruction of the castle which is still undeway in the following year.

1660 ~ Following restoration of the Mornarchy some rooms in the castle are repaired.

1662 ~ Stone and timber are robbed from the castle by the local population.