Brougham Castle

 I was heading south for the Partisan show and decided to take a break at Brougham Castle, which is on the A66 near Penrith. The staff will be quick to tell you that it is pronounced 'brum' or 'broom', one of those strange quirks of the English language.

The site was originally a Roman fort called Brocavum, as it was on the intersection of three Roman roads. The medieval castle was founded by Robert I de Vieuxpont in the early 13th century, on land (Barony of Westmorland) granted to him by King John. He built the stone keep, but the walls would have been wooden palisades. 

As the male descendants died out, the castle came into the possession of the powerful Clifford family. Their lands and castles are scattered across northern England. He built stone walls and the outline you can see today.

All was well until my ancestors, the wicked Scots, arrived after Bannockburn. Clifford was killed in the battle, and the castle was wrecked in several raids. It was partially rebuilt and garrisoned in several civil wars, but never really recovered.

When George Clifford died in 1605, his wife Margaret became dowager countess and began repairing Brougham Castle, which became her favoured residence. You can see the Tudor influences in the windows and some of the stonework inside.

It was a cavalier castle during the War of the Three Kingdoms, and was slighted by Parliamentary forces commanded by John Lambert. It has been a ruin ever since. It is still a picturesque ruin in a lovely spot by the river. Well worth a visit.