A Brief History of Hartlebury Castle

Visitors please note that the Hurd Library, Great Hall and Saloon are not accessible to museum visitors except on special occasions, details of which can be found on our Events page and on the website for the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust.

c.850    Burghred, King of the West Mercians, gave the land upon which the castle now stands to the Bishop of Worcester. The manor subsequently descended with the See.

1237    An unfortified manor house was in existence. This would have included a Great Hall, chapel, solar and domestic buildings.

1255    Bishop Walter de Cantilupe commenced the fortifications by excavating a moat. De Cantilupe was a supporter of Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester, in his rebellion against the King.

1268    Bishop Giffard, loyal to the Plantagenet dynasty, obtained a licence to crenellate. He was accused of appropriating some of the goods of the Sacrist to meet expenses for the fortifications. The bastion for the north-west mural tower remains, and the late 18th century ice house probably indicates the position of the north-east tower.

1282    King Edward I stayed at the castle en route to suppress the Welsh revolt. He levied men-at-arms from the Bishop by feudal right. Find out more about King Edwards visit to Hartlebury

c.1390    The Great Hall which, although somewhat altered, remains today was erected by Bishop Wakefield. It has an arch braced roof constructed of timbers taken from forests near Malvern, a gift from King Richard II.

Take a virtual tour of the Great Hall

c.1450   Bishop Carpenter caused a great gatehouse and drawbridge to be built, probably on the east of the castle bailey. This has no connection with the present entrance gatehouses in that position today.

mid 16C   The castle is described as a 'fayre manor Place . . . having ii lytell towers covered with Leade, and the Chamber cauled the Bishop's Chamber also covered with Leade, and there is a Chappell annexed to the said chamber lykewyse covered with Leade, where ys a lyttel bell weying by estimation dimid. hundred Weight. Also there is a mote and a Ponde adjoyning to the said Castell well stored with Fyshe . . .'.

16-17C    Hartlebury became the principal residence of the Bishops of Worcester.

1644    During the Civil War, the Commissioners for Array, being pursued, fled to the castle from Ombersley, believing it to be a safer place than Worcester.

1642    The castle was garrisoned for the King by Col. William Sandys with 120 foot soldiers and 20 horses. The fortifications were strengthened and supplies for a twelve month period laid in. The site's importance lay in its proximity to fordings of the River Severn at Larport and Redstone on a main route to Wales. On 16th May 1646 however, after only two days and without a shot being fired, the castle surrendered to the Parliamentary army under Col. Thomas Morgan.

During the Royalists' occupation a mint was set up at the castle to strike coins (probably to pay the soldiers and local suppliers). A rare half-crown from this mint is now in the collections of the County Museum.

After some use as a prison for Royalist captives the castle was slighted, then fell into further dereliction, and in 1647 was sold to a Thomas Westrowe for £3,133 6s. 8d.

1675    Bishop Fleetwood began the rebuilding of the castle.

1700    Bishop Lloyd resided in the refurbished castle. The pale of the deer park was repaired

1717    Bishop Hough filled in the southern arm of the moat, improved the gardens and built the stables and coach house.

1745    Bishop Maddox spent £1200 on remodelling the chapel. The work was carried out by Henry Keene, Surveyor of Westminster Abbey. The windows (no longer in situ) were designed by Dr John Wall of Worcester.

1759   Bishop Johnson refurnished the saloon. The eastern facade ground floor windows were 'Gothicised' by the addition of lancet heads.

Take a virtual tour of the Saloon

1781    Bishop Hurd is believed to have removed the last vestiges of the mediaeval keep, which is described as having been to the east of the house. This almost certainly refers to Bishop Carpenter's fortified gatehouse

1782    Bishop Hurd built his library over the pre-existing Long Gallery.

Take a virtual tour of the Hurd Library

1846   Hartlebury Castle became the sole residence of the Bishops of Worcester.

1905    A college of Clergy was created by Bishop Yeatman-Biggs and housed in the converted stable block, now the Temporary Exhibition Gallery and administration offices of Worcestershire County Museum.

1964    The north wing of the castle was taken over for the creation of a County Museum.

1966    Worcestershire County Museum opened to the public.