Clan Rising
Malton Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Malton Castle

Malton Castle was a medieval stone castle sited in Malton, North Yorkshire, built originally as an 11th-century motte-and-bailey and later rebuilt in stone. By the early 14th century it was a functioning royal fortress but was captured and destroyed in 1322 and thereafter fell into ruin. Only the former gatehouse and short stretches of the medieval curtain wall survive on the scheduled monument today.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1307

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1307

What Malton Castle looked like in its prime.

At its prime the castle presented a compact medieval stone enclosure built on the Roman fort footprint: a prominent stone gatehouse forming the main entrance, short stretches of thick curtain wall enclosing an inner courtyard or ward, and earthworks of the earlier motte-and-bailey visible at the perimeter. Masonry faces were of weathered medieval stone; the gatehouse stood as the dominant vertical element against the low skyline of the town.

Its story

The story of Malton Castle.

A wooden motte-and-bailey castle was raised at Malton in the 11th century by William Tyson, lord of Alnwick, on the site of the Roman fort of Derventio Brigantum. Given to Eustace Fitz John, who rebuilt it in stone, the castle was delivered by Eustace to King David I of Scotland in 1138, garrisoned by the Scots, and recaptured later the same year.

Richard I visited in 1189 and Edward II in 1307. When Eustace de Vesci rebelled against King John in 1212, the king ordered de Vesci's castles at Malton and Alnwick slighted, and the castle was held against John during the First Barons' War. After the battle of Old Byland in 1322 it was captured and destroyed by Robert I of Scotland, and was never repaired.

In 1569 Ralph, Lord Eure, built a house on the site, which came to be inherited by two Eure sisters, Margaret and Mary. Falling out over ownership in 1674, they took the argument to the County Sheriff, who destroyed the house and put the stones into two equal piles for the sisters to share. Only the former gatehouse, now a hotel, and short sections of medieval curtain wall survive on the scheduled monument.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1307.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Malton Castle, including 1 interior: gatehouse entrance passage. 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 town streetGatehouse exterior façadeGatehouse entrance passageCurtain wall fragments and walkwayRoman fort platform and motte remnants

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Recreate Malton Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1307, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Malton Castle.

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

  • Tyson

    William Tyson, lord of Alnwick, built the first wooden motte-and-bailey castle here in the 11th century.

  • Vesci

    Held by Eustace de Vesci, whose castles at Malton and Alnwick King John ordered slighted after his 1212 rebellion.

  • Eure

    Ralph, Lord Eure, built a house on the site in 1569; the Eures held it until the sisters' dispute of 1674 saw it demolished.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Malton Castle.

Castle Howard, EnglandMuseumCastle Howard8 km awayNorth Yorkshire Moors Railway, EnglandMuseumNorth Yorkshire Moors Railway13 km awayHovingham Hall, EnglandMuseumHovingham Hall13 km away

Questions about Malton Castle

What is the history of Malton Castle?

Malton Castle began as an 11th-century wooden motte-and-bailey raised by William Tyson, lord of Alnwick, on the site of the Roman fort of Derventio Brigantum. Eustace Fitz John later rebuilt it in stone. It was delivered to King David I of Scotland in 1138, captured later that year, and destroyed by Robert I of Scotland after the battle of Old Byland in 1322. It was never repaired.

What is inside Malton Castle / what can you see in it?

Malton Castle has a documented gatehouse entrance passage. The surviving gatehouse is now used as a hotel, while the other documented features are exterior remains, including curtain wall fragments and the Roman fort platform.

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

Malton Castle was built as a fortified castle, beginning with a wooden motte-and-bailey on the site of a Roman fort. It was later rebuilt in stone and functioned as a royal fortress by the early 14th century. Its military role ended after it was captured and destroyed in 1322, after which it fell into ruin.

Where is Malton Castle?

Malton Castle is in Malton, North Yorkshire. It stands on the site of the Roman fort of Derventio Brigantum, within the town of Malton.

When was Malton Castle built?

Malton Castle was first raised in the 11th century, although the exact year is not recorded. It began as a wooden motte-and-bailey and was later rebuilt in stone by Eustace Fitz John.

Was Malton Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Malton Castle was attacked and captured more than once. It was captured after the Scots garrisoned it in 1138, and it was held against King John during the First Barons' War after he ordered it slighted in 1212. Robert I of Scotland captured and destroyed it in 1322 after the battle of Old Byland.

Which family or clan held Malton Castle?

Malton Castle was held by the Tyson, Vesci and Eure families. William Tyson built the first wooden castle in the 11th century; Eustace de Vesci held it when King John ordered its slighting in 1212; and Ralph, Lord Eure, built a house on the site in 1569, which the Eures held until its demolition in 1674.

What did Malton Castle look like in its prime?

At its prime, Malton Castle was a compact medieval stone enclosure on the Roman fort footprint. A prominent stone gatehouse formed the main entrance, with thick curtain walls enclosing an inner courtyard or ward. Weathered medieval masonry, a dominant gatehouse and the earlier motte-and-bailey earthworks gave it a strong profile against the town's low skyline.

Is Malton Castle still standing / is it a ruin?

Malton Castle is a partial ruin, with only the former gatehouse and short stretches of medieval curtain wall surviving. The castle was captured and destroyed in 1322 and was never repaired. A later house built on the site in 1569 was itself destroyed in 1674, leaving the surviving gatehouse and wall fragments on the scheduled monument.

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