Castle Bolton, North Yorkshire Dales

Castle Bolton, west of Leyburn in the Yorkshire  Dales

Castle Bolton, just west of Leyburn, in the heart of Wensleydale

I thought the various layers of stone were so interesting!

Looking across the valley toward Pen Hill

American Tourist in Castle Courtyard

Bolton Castle was built by Sir Richard le Scrope, Lord Chancellor of England to Richard II. The licence to crennelate [build a fortification, evidently] was granted... and building commenced in 1379 and was completed in 1399. The family had raised to prominence a generation before under Sir Henry Le Scrope who was Chief Justice of The Kings Bench, Chief Justice of The Common Pleas and father of Sir Richard. - from www.boltoncastle.co.uk

The portcullis. Wouldn't it be cool to have one of these in your home!

Mary, Queen of Scots fled to England after losing The Battle of Langside in April 1568. She landed at Workington, travelling from there to Cockermouth and from thence to Carlisle. Scrope was at court at the time, but hurried north with Sir Francis Knollys to take charge of her. They moved her to Bolton on 16 th July. She arrived only with the clothes she stood up in. Sir George Bowes sent her tapestries and turkey rugs to make her stay more comfortable. The Earl of Northumberland sent her venison. Scrope wrote to James Stuart, Earl of Moray, asking him to send on Marys' belongings which she had left behind in Loch Leven Castle. He sent pack horses and several car loads but 'there was but one gown of taffeta, the other riding cloaks and the such-like'. Scrope wrote again and the remainder of her belongings were despatched. This next consignment contained 'Her Cloth of Estate, ' which she hung in the Great Chamber. - from www.boltoncastle.co.uk

Mary Queen of Scots

Imprisoned at Bolton from July 1568 to January 1569

It was during Mary's stay at Bolton that The Commission sat at York to discuss what should happen to her. The Earl of Moray wanted Mary returned to Scotland to face a charge of being involved in the murder of her husband Lord Darnley. ibid.

Apparently no one was fond of cleaning toilets back then either.

The amazing maze as seen from the near-roof of Bolton Castle

The gardens with Pen Hill in the distance

And just in case you want to build your own Bolton Castle out of Legos, I found this cool web site:
Legos are wonderful things, unless you accidentally kneel on one.

For more of the account of Mary Queen of Scots and her imprisonment at Bolton Castle, read here.

Won't someone please clean that toilet!

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