Bolingbroke Castle

Bolingbroke Castle was built circa 1220 by Ranulph de Blundeville following his return from the Crusades.

Bolingbroke Castle was one of three castles built by de Blundeville across his various holdings in England. From the Castle the Earl controlled large areas of Lincolnshire known as the Wapentake of Bolingbroke. The Castle passed through marriage to John of Gaunt and his son, Henry IV, was born in the Castle. The present Church of St. Peter & St. Paul is believed to have been completed during this period.

Following the ascension of Henry IV to the throne, Bolingbroke Castle became the administrative headquarters for the vast holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Church and Castle both suffered severe damage during the seige of 1643 during the English Civil War. Two thirds of the Church, including the Nave, Chancel and North Aisle were destroyed by shelling. Following the surrender of the Castle by the Royalists, the Parliament ordered that the Castle be raised to the ground in 1652.

Image credit: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © Simon Tomson – geograph.org.uk/p/6190601