Melbourne

Derbyshire

Before it was it was a 14th century stone castle it was, according to the Domesday Book, part of a property belonging to King Edward the Confessor.

Possibly in the latter part of the 12th century King John built a fortified manor house here and after he died in 1216 the property passed to Robert Holland, secretary to the Earl of Lancaster who was granted a licence to crenelate. The castle is said to have been very impressive, with a square gatehouse and according to old illustrations, it was a multi-towered structure, festooned with tall, decorated chimneys.

There appears to be some doubt as to the castle’s condition over the following years, but on the death of Robert Holland, it became crown property.

In 1416 a most important French nobleman, Jean, duc de Bourbon was taken prisoner at the Battle of Agincourt and incarcerated here for 19 years.

Between 1483 and 1485 extensive repairs were carried out by the Duchy of Lancaster.

1604, Earl of Huntingdon became the owner who then demolished the castle in 1637 for building materials.

As one can see there is very little left of this once impressive building save for bits of stone walling and foundations.

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