Clan Rising
Groby Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Groby Castle

Groby Castle is a medieval motte-and-earthwork site in the village of Groby, Leicestershire. A stone tower was built on an artificial motte in the 12th century and the castle was slighted on Henry II's orders after the Revolt of 1173–74; today only earthworks and a fragmentary wall survive. The site later hosted a 13th-century manor house and is a Scheduled Monument.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1170

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1170

What Groby Castle looked like in its prime.

A massive artificial motte rises from surrounding fields, topped in its prime by a stone tower; around it are concentric earthen ramparts and ditches forming ringwork-style defences and a rectangular set of outworks to the north-east. A single fragment of masonry remains at the motte's base beside the site of the later manor house and church. The castle stands on a grassy hill on the edge of the village with a road running past the north-east of the defences.

Its story

The story of Groby Castle.

Groby Castle sits in the large village of Groby, north-west of Leicester. Groby was one of 67 Leicestershire manors held by Grandmesnil according to the Domesday Book of 1086, and a stone tower was later raised on the artificial motte, Allen Brown suggests a foundation in the third quarter of the twelfth century by the Earl of Leicester.

Along with Leicester and Brackley, Groby was one of three of the earl's castles destroyed, slighted, on the orders of Henry II after the Revolt of 1173–74 led by his son, Prince Henry. Today only earthworks and a fragmentary wall survive, protected as a Scheduled Monument.

A thirteenth-century manor house later rose on the site. The name carries a fictional echo too: the ancestral seat of Christopher Tietjens in Ford Madox Ford's Parade's End, published in 1925 and dramatised for television in 2012, is named Groby Hall.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1170.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Groby Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the village lane (south)Summit of the motte with stone towerBase of the motte beside the surviving wall fragment (south-east)Outer ramparts and ditches (north-east)Interior of the probable baileyView from the north-east road

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1170, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Groby Castle.

The families that held Groby Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Grandmesnil

    Groby was one of 67 Leicestershire manors held by Grandmesnil at Domesday in 1086.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Groby Castle.

Greyfriars, Leicester, EnglandMonasteryGreyfriars, Leicester7 km awayLeicester City Stadium, EnglandStadiumLeicester City Stadium7 km awayCoventry Building Society Arena, EnglandStadiumCoventry Building Society Arena30 km away

Questions about Groby Castle

What is the history of Groby Castle?

Groby Castle was raised in the 12th century as a stone tower on an artificial motte. It was slighted on Henry II’s orders after the Revolt of 1173–74, and a stone manor house was later founded on the site in the 13th century. Today, earthworks and a fragment of wall survive.

Why was Groby Castle built, and what was it used for?

Groby Castle was built as a fortified motte-and-bailey castle, with a stone tower on an artificial mound and surrounding earthwork defences. Its later use included a 13th-century manor house founded on the site after the castle was slighted.

Where is Groby Castle?

Groby Castle is in the village of Groby, Leicestershire, north-west of Leicester. It stands on the edge of the village, on a grassy hill surrounded by fields.

When was Groby Castle built?

Groby Castle was built in the 12th century, although its first-raised year is not recorded. The site’s stone tower was probably founded in the third quarter of the 12th century, and it was standing by 1170.

Was Groby Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Groby Castle was slighted rather than recorded as surviving an attack or siege. Henry II ordered its destruction after the Revolt of 1173–1174, led by his son, Prince Henry.

Which family or clan held Groby Castle?

Grandmesnil held Groby among 67 Leicestershire manors recorded at Domesday in 1086. The castle was later associated with the Earl of Leicester, who may have founded it in the third quarter of the 12th century.

What did Groby Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Groby Castle had a massive artificial motte topped by a stone tower. Concentric earthen ramparts and ditches formed ringwork-style defences, with rectangular outworks to the north-east and a probable bailey around the motte.

Is Groby Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Groby Castle is a partial ruin. Only earthworks and a fragmentary wall survive, including a single masonry fragment at the base of the motte beside the later manor house and church.

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