Hopton Castle

No one knows for certain when Hopton Castle was built - but its last mention in history is notorious.

Hopton Castle from the south

For it was here that 28 men were murdered in cold blood during the Civil War - and ever since locals have steered clear of the ruined building.

Today it's close to collapse and has undergone emergency work to keep it standing.

Origins

Hopton Castle was probably built during the reign of King Stephen (1135-54). Stephen was grandson of William the Conqueror, but his reign was marked by some of the darkest days England has ever seen. Law and order in those days was non-existent, and Stephen spent much of his time battling his cousin Matilda for the throne, while his nobles did exactly as they pleased.

During this period Hopton Castle is thought to have been built by the minor baronial family by the name of Hopton.

For some two or three centuries it would have withstood numerous raids by marauding Welshmen - Hopton Castle is deep in the country of the Marcher lords - a sort of buffer zone between England and Wales.

It sits on a low mound or motte, around which was built a large, towered, curtain wall which may have been protected by a water-filled moat. Today, only the foundations of this wall remain.

The story

Hopton was also home to the swashbuckling Justice Walter Hopton, who rose to fame in the Barons' War of the 1260s, before a spectacular fall from royal favour in the early 14th Century.

Surviving historical sources don't shed much light on the history of Hopton, although improvements took place right up until the 16th Century at least, when an attic was added to the two-storey keep.

Other surviving unusual features include a projecting stair turret and a rare feature of a double string coursing around the two western turrets. Another unusual feature is a 'guard shoot' at ground level in the south west tower.

The end of Hopton Castle is marked by the most shocking tale in its 800 year history.

By the English Civil War, the castle was owned by the Wallop family, who were puritans - and therefore loyal Parliamentarians.

However, the area was far from safe for those who opposed the Royalists, and so Hopton was garrisoned by 30 men under the command of a Colonel named Samuel Moore.

Early in 1644, a 500-strong Royalist army arrived to besiege the castle. The Royalists were commanded by Sir Michael Woodhouse and a Mr Sutton - men who were responsible for the atrocity that followed.

For three weeks the garrison bravely held on, while the building withstood attempts to undermine it by tunnelling, as well as heavy artillery shelling. Eventually, the defenders struck a deal with the Royalists: they would surrender the castle if their lives were spared.

Out trooped the defenders, only for them to discover that the Royalists had no intention of keeping their part of the bargain. Colonel Moore was dragged away and taken to the prison at Ludlow Castle - but he was the lucky one. The rest of the men were tied up back to back and, ignoring their pleas for mercy, the Royalists cut their throats. The bodies of the defenders were unceremoniously dumped in the moat, and later covered with soil.

The barbarity of the Royalists didn't stop at the castle garrison: They also attacked two maids who'd been working in the castle. One was killed while the other - still wounded - was sent to the garrison at Brampton Bryan Castle in Herefordshire to tell them what had happened at Hopton and deliver a sinister message: "You're next".

Miraculously, it is said that there were two other survivors from the castle garrison. Major Phillips, who was second in command, was beaten up and thrown into the moat alive and a second man hid in a crack in the walls of the keep and, although wounded, managed to escape to Brampton Bryan. It is said he and the surviving maid later settled down together.

Brampton Bryan, incidentally, also fell to Sir Michael Woodhouse after a three week siege. But the defenders here were luckier: they were taken to Shrewsbury as prisoners.

As for Hopton Castle, the Royalists made sure it could never be a threat again. The castle was sacked and burned, and the walls breached.

The damage caused is still visible today - right down to the outline of the porch over the north doorway, which was burned down in the siege.

News of the massacre at Hopton travelled fast, and the incident became known as the "Hopton Quarter".

Hopton is also said to be haunted by the ghosts of the murdered garrison, as well as four of the Royalist soldiers who died during the siege. And the widow of one of the dead, a young woman named Elizabeth Mayrick, is said to haunt the ruins, crying out for her lost love.

Many of Shropshire's castles suffered the same way in the Civil War, although most as a result of their use by the Royalist side. The castles at Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Shrawardine were among those held by Royalists during the war and then deliberately damaged or even obliterated to make sure they could never be used as fortresses again.

Planning a visit?

The short answer is that a visit could be difficult. Hopton is in private ownership and all the land around it is private. Our pictures were obtained with the permission of the landowner.

Hopton Castle is in an isolated location off the B road between Craven Arms and Clun, the B4368 at the B4385 in Purslow, turn off towards the village of Hopton Castle. The Castle is also about a mile away from Hopton Heath railway station.

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