Alicia GA
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Registered: 12-2006
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Croft Castle, Herefordshire England
This castle is ancestral for me, on both sides (mom & dad shared great-great-grandparents). My parents visited there in the 90s. It is NOT on the beaten trail, lol. They got there before visiting hours, and strolled the grounds, and were happy to find that the castle church is named St Michael's and All Angels - same as their church at home in Columbia, SC. As they were leaving, checking out of the gift shop, they mentioned that they were kin. The cashier called Lady Croft down (they live on the top flor) and they had a lovely conversation, ending with her calling Lord Croft's favorite cabbie to get them back to their hotel.
Croft Castle
Croft Castle was founded as a Norman earthen stronghold near the border of Wales, near the iron-age hill fort at Croft Ambrey. The castle as it can be seen today was errected around 1400, and was converted into manor house in the 16th century (the walls and towers were perforated to create windows). Its ostentatious interior dates mostly from the 18th and 19th century.
History
The story of the Croft family starts in 1100 with Jasper de Croft, knighted during the First Crusade (see Bouillon) and Bernard de Croft, who according to the Doomsday Book, owned the land around the castle in 1103.
In the 13th century, the Lord of Croft helped the captured Edward I to escape to Croft. In 1461, the battle of Mortimer's Cross, that saw the final victory of the Yorkist over the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses, took place on the land of Croft.
The Crofts sided with the King during the Civil War, and the Royalists had to dismantle the castle to prevent the Parliamentarians from using it.
In 1746, the indebted Croft family had to sell the castle, which was acquired by Richard Knight. The Trustees of Sir James Croft bought the property back in 1923 and the castle is still occupied by this family nowadays.
Description
Croft Castle consists of a large, square, brown-stone building. Its rough external appearance is balanced by its opulent Georgian interiors and furniture, notably its grand staircase and fine plasterwork.
The castle has a walled garden, kitchen garden, tea-room and the main park is lined with an avenue of splendid 350-year-old Spanish chestnut trees.
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2/17/2007, 12:32
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indicaspice
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Re: Croft Castle, Herefordshire England
That is beautiful.
---  Click pic |
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2/23/2007, 15:41
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