Conisborough Castle

December 1880

Mexborough and Swinton Times, December 3.

Conisborough Castle.

Mr Thomas Waller, Scarborough, contributes the following particulars of this remarkable ruin to the Leeds Mercury:

Amongst the many noble examples of the architectural scale of our forefathers which yet remain in this country, there are few which possess a higher claim on our interest than the majestic Castle of Conisborough, which, after a lapse of nearly 1000 years, still up rears its head.

A visible relic of another time, a connecting link between the past and the present. If even the most insignificant memorial of former ages affords materials for thought to a reflecting mind, how much more should a ruin like that, of Conisborough, which hasby many been considered the most important of the few remaining strongholds of our Saxon ancestries yet to be found in this country, engage the attention of the lover of history and antiquities.

The masonry of the keep is strictly Saxon in its character, and the structure has indeed a venerable appearance.

I quote from the Gentleman’s Magazine for the year 1801:

This noble round tower is strengthened by six a massive square buttresses, running from the base to the summit at equal distances. 18 feet from the ground both the tower and buttresses expand, sloping gradually to the width of 4 feet, in order to give greatest strength to the base.

The tower is situated at the south eastern extremity of the Castle, two thirds of it being within the walls, which rest against it. The other face forms of itself. The outward wall, and here the entrance, which is 24 feet from the ground, ascended to buy a flight of 32 steps, is situated.

On a level with this door is a door, on which we enter through the wall, which is here 15 feet thick, and at each butress 23 feet. It is an undivided apartment, 22 feet in diameter, of circular form, as is the whole interior of the structure. The wall is quite plain, and wholly destitute of any aperture for light, except the entrance.

In the centre of the floor is a round hole, resembling the mouth of a well, which, however, forms the only entrance into a lower apartment or dungeon, from whence, according to tradition, there was a subterranean passage from the Castle.

Ascending by a flight of 25 stone stairs from the entrance passage, lighted by two loophole, we reach the level of another apartment, but the floor has as entirely fallen away.

The fireplace, which is deserving of minute attention, is surrounded by a triple pillar on each side, with carved capitals supporting a chimneypiece 12 feet long, now partly ornamented with ivy.

Opposite is a larges arched window, ascended to buy three bold steps. The only other objects in this room is a closet and a niche and trough in the wall, which is here 13 1/2 feet thick. An ascent of 34 steps leads to the next room, which is also a fireplace. Few persons ascend further than this, as the upper room is exceedingly difficult and dangerous of access, being only to be reached by venturing along a narrow ledge, scarcely 9 inches broad.

On a last gaining an entrance, the certain antiquity of the chamber, and the idea that here perhaps our warlike ancestors had offered up their prayers, and buckled on their armour, or taken their repose, filled up with a pleasing awe and veneration, that was heightened to superstition by a charming sound like that of an Aeolian harp, which we both distinctly heard at several occasions, unable to conjecture how it was occasioned on this beautiful room is of hexagonal proportion, and the ceiling is composed of a series of arches decorated in the Gothic manner.

It is very imperfectly lighted, there being only one large loophole or aperture in the wall, 6 feet in height, which diminishes in width from 6 feet on the outer wall of the tower to 30 inches in the inner. The ceiling and other parts of this interesting chamber Abbey richly ornamented with carved work, which is now much defaced; but the room is sufficiently perfect to afford a vivid idea of the state of the Castle in the olden time.

Our antiquaries next ascended by a flight of 25 stone stairs to the summit of the tower, which commands a prospect of exceeding riches and beauty, over field and flood. The buttresses Rice several feet higher than the walls. In one of them appear steps; three others each contain a large arched alcove; whilst in the fifth is a broad place exactly resembling a oven five or 6 feet in diameter and height.

Its mouth is 2 ft.², and is on a level with a passage which seems to run round the tower. The wall is here 10 and a half feet thick, so that it diminishes 18 inches at every floor. The height of the three new. We are described is 52 feet, and the total height of the buttresses 86 feet; but they have formally been of loftier elevation.

The village of Conisborough is of high antiquity; by the Britons it was called Caer Conan, and by the Saxons Cyning, or Conan Burgh, both signifying a Royal town down that it was the seat of a civil jurisdiction, which comprised 28 towns.

We are told at that time (1801) there was in the church yard a singular stone, carved with hieroglyphics, and that it had excited the attention of the antiquary. (Is the stone still there?)

The following account of a feast in the olden time was framed and hung up in a room at a (1801) in this village; it exhibits a curious example of the change, which has taken place in the value of money.

The expense of Sir Ralph de Beeston and Sir Gunon de Baldistron, of Conisborough, on Monday the Morrow of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, in the 14th year of King Edward II, A.D. 1321:

In bread ………………………………………………..1s 6d,

4 gallons of wine ………………………………………..2s,

12 gallons of ale bought at Doncaster………… 1s 6d,

16 gallons of ale bought at Conisborough……. 1s 4d

Shambles meat………………………………………… 2s,

eight fowls………………………………………………. 1s,

two geese ………………………………………………..8d,

eggs …………………………………….. ……………….3d,

two pounds of candles ………………………………3d,

a woman´s wages for fetching the ale …………1d,

in provender for the houses…………………… 1s 3d.

In this neighbourhood of Conisborough, may be discovered several traces of a Roman road.

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