Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

Ashby-de-la-Zouch, quite a name for a Leicestershire town! North west of Leicester, this historical location gained it's unique name from the 'Breton la Zouch' family, in particular Alan la Zouch, a nobleman who gained Ashby Manor through marriage.

Ashby-de-la-Zouch, a spa town in the 19th Century boasts many historical buildings. From splendid churches to the Bull's Head inn, (reputed to have hosted Oliver Cromwell,) Ashby is rich in history and culture. Perhaps it's most eminent feature however, is the manor itself, and it is this particular structure that I would like to focus on.

Ashby Manor began life as a Norman wooden castle and it was Alan la Zouch who converted the building into stone. For many years, the castle prospered under the care of the Zouch family, however, with the Zouch succession line ending in the 14th Century, the castle was to change hands many times.

In 1461, the castle reverted to the Crown. The owner prior to this, James Butler, Earl of Ormonde had been executed after the battle of Towton. The castle remained within the Crown's hands for a few years until Edward IV bestowed it upon William, Lord Hastings. Hastings made his own changes to the castle, perhaps the most notable being that of the "Hastings Tower," still in evidence today, despite the castle's ruinous appearance.

William's reign as Lord of the manor was to be short lived. In 1483, Hastings was beheaded by Richard III. However, his lands and titles remained within his family chiefly because of his son Edward, who supported the Royal cause at the Battle of Bosworth.

The castle was visited by many famed historical figures. Henry VII, James I and Charles I all graced it's walls. Perhaps the most notorious visit was that of Mary Queen of Scots who visited twice, once in 1569 and again in 1586 while being confined.

The Civil War loomed and the castle was defended by Royalists who endured a one year siege in 1645. Surrender however was inevitable despite it being too strong to storm, plague and lack of food became it's downfall and by the order of Parliament, the castle was made unfit for use. The Hastings family moved to Donington Hall and the castle fell to decay.

In the early 19th Century, the castle entered a preservation stage. Thanks to the first Marquess of Hastings and the publication of Sir Walter Scott's famous 1820 novel, 'Ivanhoe,' the castle gained attention once more. 'Ivanhoe' brought visitors to the town of Ashby, visitors who wished to see the 'Tournament Field' and the 'Stately Ruins of Ashby Castle.' It soon became evident that this building needed to be preserved.

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