Hopton Castle (structure)

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Hopton Castle

Hopton Castle is situated in the village of the same name which lies approximately half way between Knighton and Craven Arms, in the English county of Shropshire (grid reference SO367779).

[edit] Norman Castle

It would seem likely that the castle was founded in the 12th century as a motte and bailey by one of the Hoptons as a mesne lord of the Says of Clun Castle. It would seem likely that Walter de Hopton built the stone castle during the Barons' War of the 1260's. The bailey was fortified in stone and an impressive rectangular two storey keep was built. The last Walter Hopton died during the Wars of the Roses and the castle passed by marriage to the Corbet family of Moreton Corbet castle.

[edit] Massacre

During the Civil War Hopton Castle was one of the few castles to be held for the Parliament in the west. Sir Michael Woodhouse laid siege to the castle which was under the command of John Moore who eventually surrendered. However Woodhouse refused the surrender and all the defenders except Moore were massacred and apparently thrown into the moat. According to the standards of the day this was legal as the fortress had refused to surrender after its walls had been breached. In effect the surrender was adjudged to have come too late.

The castle was still habitable in 1700 but fell into disrepair soon afterwards. Substantial remnants of the much altered keep remain.