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Understanding Conisbrough Castle and its setting

English Heritage is committed to ensuring that visitors get the most out of its properties, and this requires us to carry out fresh research to make sure that we can present the most up to date understanding of each site. As part of this process, we recently commissioned Northern Archaeological Associates (NAA) to carry out the first ever detailed analytical study of the knoll on which Conisbrough Castle stands.

Survey techniques

Using a mixture of archaeological survey techniques (topographical and geophysical), NAA’s investigation demonstrates how the castle’s builders sculpted the knoll to form an outer ring of defences, and also provides a glimpse of the buried remains of buildings which once stood within the courtyard between the castle’s gateway and the medieval town.

The magnificent 12th century keep and curtain walls of Conisbrough Castle

Earlier visitors to the castle

NAA’s study has also provided insights into how the castle was perceived by earlier visitors. Sir Walter Scott’s 'Ivanhoe', published in 1819, included a wildly inaccurate, but nonetheless highly romantic depiction of Conisbrough as the stronghold of Aethelstane: the affable, honourable (but rather dim-witted) heir to the Saxon throne.

The popularity of the novel did a great deal to raise interest in the castle, and may have prompted the creation of the public park around it in the 1880s. But the romance of the ruins was certainly appreciated long before Scott, and the recent study has led to the suggestion that the 18th century owners, the Dukes of Leeds, may themselves have undertaken several modifications to enhance the picturesque qualities of the ruins.

An early 19th century engraving of Conisbrough Castle

Understanding the setting of the castle

The Norman castle stamped its mark indelibly on the plan of the pre-existing Saxon town, and its influence stretched over the surrounding landscape through the creation of a vast hunting park. Over the coming years, we hope to harness the energy and experience of the local community in carrying out further research into the castle's setting.