CLITHEROE CASTLE, CASTLE HILL, CLITHEROE, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND.
CLITHEROE CASTLE WAS BUILT IN THE 12TH CENTURY AND IS CLAIMED TO BE ONE OF THE OLDEST BUILDINGS IN LANCASHIRE. STANDING ON A ROCKY OUTCROP OF LIMESTONE ABOUT 35 METRES ABOVE THE VALLEY FLOOR OF THE RIVER RIBBLE, THE KEEP OF CLITHEROE CASTLE IS A PROMINENT LANDMARK BOTH IN THE TOWN AND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. IT HAS SEVERAL CLAIMS TO FAME: IT IS THE SMALLEST KEEP IN ENGLAND; AND IT IS THE ONLY REMAINING CASTLE IN LANCASHIRE WHICH HAD A ROYALIST GARRISON DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
THE ORIGINS OF THE CASTLE SEEM UNCERTAIN, BUT ONE POSSIBILITY IS THAT IT WAS ERECTED BY ROGER DE LACY AROUND 1186, POSSIBLY ON THE SITE OF AN EARLY NORMAN FORTIFICATION BUILT SHORTLY AFTER THE CONQUEST AND MENTIONED IN THE DOMESDAY BOOK.
THE KEEP IS ONLY 20 FEET SQUARE, WITH WALLS 10 FEET THICK. THE STONE KEEP IS EN-CLOSED WITHIN A CURTAIN WALL, BUT ONLY PART OF THIS WALL NOW REMAINS. TO THE SOUTH OF THE KEEP IS A BAILEY, WHERE DOMESTIC BUILDINGS SERVING THE KEEP WOULD HAVE STOOD.

THE CASTLE STANDS ALMOST THREE STOREYS HIGH, BUT IS NOW ROOFLESS TO THE SKY. THE MAIN ENTRANCE WAS ORIGINALLY BY STAIRS TO A DOORWAY ON THE SECOND FLOOR, BUT NOW IS THROUGH A GROUND LEVEL DOORWAY.

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