22/06/2024
Astley Castle 22/06/2024
Astley Castle is a moated 16th century manor house located on the outskirts of Nuneaton. The Astley family held the manor from the 12th century, and were given a licence to crenelate the manor house in 1266, however the property was only ever a fortified house.
Sir William Astley died in 1420 leaving his estate to his daughter, who in 1415 married Reginald Grey, the 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn who was from a dynasty of lords who controlled the borderlands between England and Wales.
Astley Castle has been home to three of Englands Queens. Sir John Grey married Elizabeth Woodville who after his death in 1461 went on to become the queen of Edward IV. Her daughter Elizabeth of York became a queen in 1486 upon her marriage to Henry VII. Frances Brandon, the granddaughter of Elizabeth of York married Henry Grey, the Duke of Suffolk. Their daughter Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen in 1553, however she, her husband and father were all executed in 1554. With the family name disgraced Astley Castle was deliberately damaged and then forfeited and sold by the crown to Edward Chamberlain.
Astley Castle was a Parliamentary stronghold during the English civil war, one of a network of small garrisons in this part of the English midlands drawing upon the surrounding villages for support. According to the muster list at Warwick Castle, thirty five soldiers were posted at Astley Castle in July 1644.
Today Astley Castle has been renovated and is used as living accommodation with some modern and historical touches designs and architecture.
