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Monday 23 September 2013

Sizergh Castle, Cumbria - ghosts and old glories #EHFA

In order to celebrate the launch of Castles, Customs and Kings I'm taking part in a "blog hop" . You can go to English Historical Fiction Authors blog to enter for a chance to win a free copy!

I am also giving away a brand new signed paperback copy or ebook of my 'not-quite-released-yet' novel - A Divided Inheritance! Book will be shipped as soon as it is available, launch date 23 October. Comment under the post to enter. Extra entry if you join the blog. Don't forget to leave an email address. Draw closes midnight 29th September.

The name Sizergh dates from the 9th century and was originally spelled  sigaritherge, meaning Sigarith's pasture (sigarith is a female name.)

The castle has been home to the Strickland family for many generations, beginning in the 12th century, and is still lived in by them today. During the Wars of the Roses the family were Yorkists, and in the succeeding generation were linked with the Parres of Kendal - the family of Catherine Parr, wife of Henry VIII.



The photos above and  below are from an article on the castle by Matthew Penmott, and I can heartily recommend his site on the Castles of Cumbria.
The Strickland Arms in the Parish Church, Kendal
Sizergh Castle consists of a Pele tower dating from the 14th century, which gave protection against scottish raiders. On the courtyard front is the Strickland Coat of Arms. The main entrance leads today into a Tudor Great Hall, which has since been adapted by different generations of the family into a series of smaller rooms. An Elizabethan corner block and wings enclose a courtyard, and on three sides of the castle the remains of a moat is discernible.

The Return of the Inlaid Chamber
In 1891 the ornate panelling from the Inlaid Chamber, along with various furnishings, was sold to keep the house maintained. Thanks to the Victorian and Albert Museum, the original panelling and stained glass which was tailor-made for this room at Sizergh has now returned home to the castle after more than a century in London, and is now on permanent loan. (Pictures from the V&A)



Inlaid Room at Sizergh Castle, © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel


The beautifully wrought panels were inlaid with English Poplar and “Bog” Oak to create a three dimensional effect of geometric and strapwork motifs.




Ghost of the Starved Lady
In the Pele tower ghostly sobs denote the presence of  a lady whose husband, before a raid by the Scots, was locked away in a room with an impregnable door - presumably to keep her safe. But her husband died and the terrified servants abandoned the place. The poor wife starved, and as she tried to claw her way out she went slowly mad. Her screams still haunt Sizergh on dark and spooky nights......

brown-lady

More photos of ghosts can be found at http://www.strangerdimensions.com/2013/07/11/top-10-famous-ghost-pictures-and-the-stories-behind-them/

Apart from the attraction of the ghost, Sizergh Castle is managed by the National Trust and is well worth a visit - beautiful grounds and gardens too, along with more than a thousand years of history!

20 comments:

  1. Thank you for the fascinating information and the giveaway!
    smhparent at hotmail dot com

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  2. I follow on GFC as ParentingAuthor.
    Thank you!
    smhparent at hotmail dot com

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  3. Enjoyed reading about a castle I had never heard of before. Great post. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  4. Enjoyed reading about a castle I had never heard of before. Great post. Thank you for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love to read your new novel. And I love ghost stories of any kind - this was a new castle to me.
    kaiminani at gmail dot com

    I follow the blog

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am a new follower and would love to read your new novel. I love the ghost stories as well.

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway!!
    mosthappyreader (at) gmail (dot) com

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  7. I have followed you for awhile. Awesome post...love stories of ghosts in castles, there are bound to be as medieval times were so violent...great post!! thank you
    momkelly2003@yahoo.com

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  8. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your upcoming novel, and for this splendid post! Long time follower of your site :) I hope everything goes smoothly as the release date approaches!

    Svea
    Muse_in_the_fog@hotmail.com

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  9. thanks for sharing - Sizergh Castle has been on my "must visit" list for a long time now .... one day I hope to get there!

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  10. thanks for sharing - Sizergh Castle has been on my "must visit" list for a long time now .... one day I hope to get there!

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  11. What would a castle be without ghosts? Looks a beautiful place.

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  12. Love learning more history of my country, there is always something new to learn

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  13. now follow on GFC (vesper meikle) and email - meikleblog at gmail dot com

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  14. Fascinating post! Thank you!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  15. I follow via email
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  16. I love Sizergh Castle and have visited it a few times..thankfully, I have never seen the ghost on any of my visits !

    Jaffa and I already follow your lovely blog.

    jaffareadstoo(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

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  17. So many gems of castles - lovely to discover another.
    I'd would adore to win an ebook copy of your not-quite-released-book
    Grace [dot]Elliot[at]virginmedia[dot]com
    G x

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  18. Sizergh Castle looks like a beautiful, romantic place. I hope I can visit one day! Thank you for the giveaway.
    denannduvall@gmail.com

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  19. What a wonderful place, and how amazing that the family has lived there for all these years. I love the wooden paneling- all the inset- gorgeous!

    Thanks for being a part of the blog hop, and just so everyone knows- Castles, Customs, and Kings was Deborah's big idea! Wow- a great one, at that.

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  20. Thank you to everyone who entered and for all your comments. The winner is Denise! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete