England
Cumbria

Appleby Castle

Appleby Castle was founded in 1100 by Ranulf le Meschin, who may have founded the town at the same time. That first structure was little more than an extensive system of earthwork defenses.

The great stone keep of the castle was built sometime around 1170, when the property was owned by Hugh de Morville. De Morville had the property confiscated for his part in the murder of Thomas a Becket.

Eventually the castle passed to the de Clifford family, and around 1688 the hall block was remodelled by Lady Anne de Clifford into a luxurious mansion. The interior of the keep today is largely her work.