Topcliffe Castle
| Topcliffe Castle / Maiden Bower | ||
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 Plan of the Motte Topcliffe Castle |
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| Alternative name (s): | Cock Lodge | |
| Castle type : | moth | |
| Conservation status: | Burgstall | |
| Place: | Topcliffe | |
| Geographical location | 54 ° 10 '10.9 " N , 1 ° 22' 26" W | |
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Topcliffe Castle (also known as Maiden Bower) was built shortly after the conquest of England in 1066 AD by the Norman William de Percy († before 1099) , who took possession of extensive lands in North Yorkshire . In the 14th century, the moth was replaced by a fortification called "Cock Lodge".
Topcliffe is located at the confluence of the River Swale and Cod Beck and thus on a waterway that was important in pre-industrial times and connected the town to the capital York via the Urie and Ouse rivers . Percy had supported William the Conqueror's invasion of England by staying behind and securing Normandy . Percy arrived in England in 1067 and obtained properties in Leconfield , Spofforth and Topcliffe.
The original castle at the confluence of the Swale and Cod Beck rivers provided natural protection on three sides through extensive swamps. The moth was on the eastern end of a spur. Originally it was crowned with a wooden palisade and a wooden tower. A D-shaped bailey, separated by a deep moat, extended northwest and encompassed an area of about an acre.
Cock Lodge
At the beginning of the 14th century, Maiden Bower was replaced by a new castle. Cock Lodge was a five-sided fortress that spanned seven acres and occupied the area northwest of the former castle. It was protected by an earth wall, which was surrounded by a moat, at least on the east side. Originally, the interior in the north-west corner housed the manor house and the associated buildings.
Later story
In the 14th century the Percy family had expanded their property considerably and in 1309 they acquired the second largest aristocratic residence in England, Alnwick Castle , which became the family seat. Topcliffe was used periodically by the family until the end of the 15th century. The extent of its fortification at this point is uncertain. In 1489, an angry mob stormed the grounds and murdered Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland , in the wake of the 1489 Yorkshire Rebellion , a local revolt in response to the Crown's tax increases.