English Heritage

About 1000Post-Roman Settlement

A chapel is built within the foundations of the Roman signal station and a small cemetery created.

1130sLe Gros's Castle

William le Gros, Count of Aumâle, builds the castle. King Stephen makes him Earl of York.

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1150sRoyal Ownership

Henry II becomes king and demands the return of all royal castles. Scarborough passes to the Crown.

1159-69Expensive Renovations

Henry begins to rebuild the castle. He plants a new town beneath its walls and builds the great tower.

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1202-12Royal Investment

King John spends more on Scarborough than on any other castle in the kingdom. He adds a new royal chamber block and an extensive outer wall.

1308-48Percy Additions

Henry Percy, 2nd Baron Percy, and his wife are granted licence to live in the castle. They build a bakehouse, brewhouse and kitchen in the inner bailey.

1484Last Royal Visit

Richard III is the last king to stay at the castle, when he assembles a fleet to resist the invasion of Henry Tudor, later Henry VII.

1536The Pilgrimage of Grace

Constable Sir Ralph Eure declares his support for Henry VIII against the Pilgrimage of Grace and is besieged in the castle. Although damaged by gunfire, the castle is held successfully.

1557Revolt

Thomas Stafford seizes the castle, hoping to raise a revolt against Queen Mary. The castle is easily captured and Stafford and his accomplices are executed

1645Civil War

Royalist Scarborough endures one of the bloodiest Civil War sieges. The walls of the great tower are sheared and half the building collapses during Parliamentarian attacks.

16 December 1914First World War Shelling

Two German warships fire more than 500 shells on the town and castle from the bay. There are 17 civilians killed and more than 80 seriously wounded.

1920-84Conservation and Repairs

The castle is taken into state guardianship. The 18th-century barracks block is demolished and the Roman signal station and later chapel are excavated.

1984-PresentCurrent Guardianship

The castle is placed in the care of English Heritage.

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