Castlefacts³

Killerby Castle

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Questionable Masonry Castle, and also as a Certain Fortified Manor House

There are no visible remains

Name	Killerby Castle
Alternative Names	Kilwardby; Kilwardeby; Killarby
Historic Country	Yorkshire
Modern Authority	North Yorkshire
1974 Authority	North Yorkshire
Civil Parish	Killerby

At Killerby, west of Appleton, may still be traced the foundations of the castle built in a strong position by Brian Fitz Alan, lord of Bedale. (VCH)

Soon after the Conquest, Killerby was granted by the Earl of Richmond to Schollandus of Bedale, his Sewer. His granddaughter Agnes carried it in marriage to Brian Fitz-Alan, one of whose descendants, in the 19th of Edward I. (1291), had a license to make a Castle at his Manor of Kilwardeby. Leland says that "the Lord Lovell had a Castelle at Killerby, within a quarter of a mile of the ripe citerioris of Swale, a myle benethe Katerik Bridge: there appeare," he continues, "greate ruines." And in another place the "royal antiquary" observes, " Mastar Metcalfe hierithe the lordshipe of the Kinge. Some say that ther cam water by couductus into the topps of some of the towers."

From the situation of this Castle it might have bidden defiance to any force that could have been brought against it. Being entirely insulated by water to a very considerable distance, and in a flat country, it would be approached by a very narrow causeway. Killerby Carr extended as low down as Kirkby Fleetham, and was filled with bulrushes and aquatic trees. Though thus situated it stood on a fine sloping bank of 20 or 30 acres, that gradually rose from the edge of the water. From the foundations which have been discovered, the Castle must have been of great magnitude. At what time it fell into ruin is not known. In the Church of Bedale is a monumental effigy of Sir Brian Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundell, the founder of the Castles of Bedale and Killerby.

The present mansion, Killerby Hall, the seat of John B. Booth, Ear, occupies the site of the Castle. It is a substantial square building, situated on a gentle slope, and in well-wooded and well-watered grounds. (Whellan 1859)

Gatehouse Comments

Said to be the site of an earlier motte and bailey but the evidence for this seems slight and may be a confabulation with the nearby motte and bailey of Killerby Castle Hills. The PastScape record suggests there is some question as to the location of the licenced house although there can be little real doubt that it was on, or very near to, the site occupied by Killerby Hall. The form of house, whilst not absolutely known, certainly seems to have included several towers and to have been moated.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

1390628

County Historic Environment Record

www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MNY14206&resourceID=1009

OS Map Grid Reference	SE258960
Latitude	54.3590087890625
Longitude	-1.60333001613617
Eastings	425800
Northings	496000