Castles in Shropshire

The building material was dependent on the available resources, the time scale, the labour force and the financial situation of the castle builder. Some wealthy Earls were able to use building materials from other parts of the country, and if this was the case, would invariably be building mainly in stone.

Many of the castles in Shropshire used local stones for construction purposes. This includes different types of sandstone and limestone, the latter often being used for facing material.

As a wide variety of geology exists in the County, it is likely that the local geology of the specific area was exploited for building materials. More information on the geology of Shropshire can be found at http://www.shropshiregeology.org.uk 

Castles also took advantage of natural landscape features to enhance their defensive strength. In Shropshire, Bridgnorth Castle is sited on a sandstone promontory and Caus Castle uses the elevated position of a natural hill. Ludlow Castle also utilises a natural ridge of high ground which is defended on three sides by the river Teme.

It is important to remember, however, that castles built in stone are not necessarily later in date than timber ones. In fact, some castles were built in stone from the beginning, and this is true of both France and Shropshire. Ludlow castle, for example, was provided with stone defenses from the beginning.

Furthermore, although it is easy to assume that stone castles superseded timber ones, excavation and archaeological evidence has shown that timber was still used as a building material. Castles were, therefore, never entirely built of stone. A mixture of technology was always the norm. This included timber, stone, and earthwork components.

Stokesay Castle is an excellent example of how timber and stone were used together. It is also important to remember that timber was not socially lower in status than stone.

Shrewsbury Castle was itself built of timber up until the late 13^th century. As timber rots more easily than stone, only archaeological excavation can reveal clues to timber construction. Although timber was cheaper and quick to build with, it was also highly vulnerable to fire and therefore presented a greater risk to those who lived in the castle.

Building in stone did not guarantee survival of the castle either. Throughout the Medieval period and beyond, castles were exposed to purposeful destruction by enemy forces trying to seize political control. Bridgnorth Castle is an excellent example of this. In 1646, during the Civil War, Parliamentary forces tunneled under the walls, undermining and blowing up the castle, forcing Sir Robert Howard to surrender. Because of this, the remains of the castle keep lean at a seventeen-degree angle. This is three times further than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.