England · Ruin
Topcliffe Castle
Topcliffe Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey castle near the village of Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, England. Built around 1071 at the junction of the River Swale and Cod Beck and re-fortified in 1173, the site was later abandoned in the 14th century and survives today as earthwork mounds.
Its prime
1173
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1173
The shape it held in its prime.
A compact motte-and-bailey complex dominated by a rounded earthen motte rising from flat pasture, with a surrounding ditch and an adjoining lower, level bailey. At its prime the motte would have carried a timber keep and been ringed by a wooden palisade; the bailey lay within earthen banks and fenced enclosures. The site sits on low ground at the junction of two waterways, with grass and scattered trees on the mound.
Its story
The story of Topcliffe Castle.
A motte-and-bailey castle was built at Topcliffe around 1071, at the junction of the River Swale and Cod Beck in North Yorkshire. Archbishop Geoffrey of York re-fortified it in 1173 during the revolt of 1173–74, with William de Stuteville appointed as governor. The Percy family held Topcliffe, and Edward III spent a few hours resting at the castle in August 1333.
The castle — also known as Maiden's Bower — appears to have been abandoned during the 14th century, and survives today as earthwork mounds. Its site saw one last violent scene: in 1489 Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, was slain there by a mob angry over higher taxation.
Step inside
6 places to explore in 1173.
The record describes 6 distinct spots at Topcliffe Castle — including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Topcliffe Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1173 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Topcliffe Castle.
The families that held Topcliffe Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
The Percy family held Topcliffe; Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, was slain on the castle site by a mob in 1489.
