Hopton Castle (structure)
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Hopton Castle is situated in the village of the same name which lies approximately half way between Knighton and Craven Arms, Shropshire (grid reference SO367779).
It was founded in the 11th century as a motte and bailey by Robert "Picot" de Say. In 1276 Walter de Hopton founded the stone castle and added an impressive rectangular two storey keep. The last Walter Hopton died during the Wars of the Roses and the castle passed by marriage to the Corbets of Moreton Corbet castle.
During the Civil War Hopton Castle was one of the few castles to be held for the Parliament in the west. Sir Michael Woodhouse laid siege to the castle which was under the command of John Moore who eventually surrendered. However Woodhouse refused the surrender and all the defenders except Moore were massacred.
The castle was still habitable in 1700 but fell into disrepair soon afterwards. Substantial remains of the keep remain.
[edit] References
- Hopton Castle 1
- Hopton Castle 2
- Hopton Castle Photographs
- Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
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