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Over the centuries Grimsthorpe Castle has been subject to the ever changing styles of the day and the fortunes of its owners
The first impression you get as you approach Grimsthorpe Castle today, is not that of a traditional castle. Upon further inspection you come across a castellated tower dating from when the de Gaunt family held the Earldom of Lincoln.
Gilbert de Gant, the great grandson of Baudouin, Count of Flanders, was created Earl of Lincoln in1216 by Prince Louis of France (later Louis VIII) and was sent to Lincolnshire to fight against King John during the baron’s revolt. He laid siege to the city of Lincoln, completely destroying it. Later he was taken prisoner and all his estates were confiscated. Gilbert died in 1242.
Much of Gilbert’s estate passed to Henry, 1st Lord Beaumont, who served both Edward I and Edward II. Two of Henry’s children married wisely. His daughter Isabel became the wife of Henry the good Duke of Grosemont, father of John of Gaunt and his eldest son, John, married Eleanor Plantagenet, great granddaughter of Henry III.
Grimsthorpe Castles association with the Willoughby family began when Henry, 5th Lord Beaumont married Elizabeth Willoughby, daughter of William, 5th Baron de Eresby. In 1516 Henry VIII granted the manor to William Willoughby who became 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby on his marriage to Maria de Salinas, Maid of Honour to Queen Katherine of Aragon. Maria gave birth to a baby girl (Katherine) in 1520 and the Tudor additions at Grimsthorpe occurred during her lifetime.
Dating back to 1313, the Barony of Willoughby de Eresby is one of the few English peerages which can pass in the female line. Katherine was only about six when her father died and she succeeded as 11th Baroness and heiress to Grimsthorpe. She became a ward of the king until 1528 when Henry VIII sold the wardship to his brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. At the age of 14, Katherine became the 4th wife of the Duke of Suffolk.
During this time Henry had started to dissolve the monasteries. This lead to riots and many of the northern lords pledged their allegiance to the abbots and monks who were being ejected from their religious houses. Henry VIII ordered Suffolk to Lincolnshire to help crush the revolt.
Katherine was widowed in 1545 and six years later both her sons died on the same day. Being a staunch Protestant, Katherine sought refuge on the continent after she was imprisoned in the Tower of London during the reign of Queen Mary. Katherine returned to Grimsthorpe Castle with the accession of Elizabeth I
The fortunes of the family had improved by the time Robert Bertie, 13th Baron entertained James I and Anne of Denmark at Grimsthorpe in 1611. He inherited the office of Lord Great Chamberlain from his father and was created Earl of Lindsay by Charles I.
During the 18th century, the 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and 3rd Lord Lindsay restructured the northern face of Grimsthope Castle in the classical style. The classical style was not to the liking of the 17th Baron who replaced it with a Baroque façade.
Over the centuries Grimsthorpe Castle has been subject to the ever changing styles of the day and the fortunes of its owners. The castle is now in the hands of the Grimsthorpe and Drummond Castle Trust, set up by the 3rd Earl of Ancestor and his daughter the 27th Baroness of Willoughby de Eresby.
Tourist INFORMATIONOpening Times: 27 March - 29 Sept; Thursdays, Sundays & B Hol Mons Sunday - Thursday during August Grounds open; 12 - 6; Castle open 1pm Admission Price: Adults: £3 Concessions: £2.50 Children: £1.50 Additional charge for castle Gardens also open June - Aug; Sun - Thurs incl.
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