Liverpool Castle - Medieval origins
For more than 400 years Liverpool castle stood as a strong
town fortress and witnessed some significant local historical events. Although
no traces of the original structure remain, the site of Liverpool Castle is
immortalised in Castle Street within the city environs.
Medieval Castle
The early history of the castle is somewhat uncertain but it
seems probable that it was erected by William de Ferrers sometime in the period
1232-1247. Little is known about this early structure but an inspection of 1347
revealed the castle was comprised of four towers, was surrounded by a dry moat,
and included a chapel, bakehouse, brewhouse, herb garden, dovecot and orchard.
An inquisition taken in the first year of Edward III (1326-27) found Robert de
Holland in possession of the castle and borough of Liverpool, a holding
collectively valued at ₤30.10.0.
Over the period 1446-1472 ownership was claimed by Sir
Richard Molyneux, who held title as constable of the castle, passing in due
course to his son. By 1476 it was clear that the structure required repair and
a schedule drawn up for this purpose recommended that the hall and chapel
chamber should be covered with shingle, a new chamber to the west was to be
covered with stone or mortar, and walls adjoining two of the castle towers were
to be covered with turf. Reference is also made to the Gate House and Prison
Tower. By 1559 the castle had again slipped into a poor state of repair, and expenditure
of ₤150 was suggested in order that the building might be turned into a
facility for storage of court rolls.
Finally in 1715 an Act was passed to demolish the castle and
build a church in its place. Construction of St George's church begun on the
site of the old castle and was consecrated in 1734. By 1825 the church had been
pulled down and a new one built in its place.
In 1899 the church was demolished and the Victoria Monument
was erected the principle work of perhaps the most important Liverpool-based sculptor,
C. J. Allen. The monument itself is of Portland stone, and all the figures are
in bronze. It was erected in 1902 and stands to this day. We might pause to
note that this monument contains an unusually large number of statues - as well
as the figure of Victoria, we have four basal groups of three figures each,
four upper figures each with two infants, and the summit angel. Only a very few
monuments, and the most sumptiously decorated buildings, exceed this total
ensemble.
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| The unveiling of the Monument on 27th September 1906 |
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| The plaque on the Victoria Monumen |
Replica
In Lever Park, Rivington near Chorley, William Lever built a
folly which is a scale replica of Liverpool Castle in ruins. Building started
in 1912 and the replica which was not completed was based on a conjectural
reconstruction of the castle prepared by E. W. Cox in 1892.
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| The Castle replica at Rivington near Chorley
Links
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By Robert F Edwards
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