ACTON BURNELL CASTLE

'Acton Burnell Castle' is a 13th century fortified manor house, located near in the modern village of Acton Burnell, Shropshire, England. It is believed that the first Parliament of England was held here where the Commons were fully represented. Today, all that remains is the outer shell of the private residence, plus the gable ends of the large Parliament barn. Despite being referred to as a castle, it is not ().

Contents

The initial building

Subsequent owners

18th century conversion

Today's ruins

References

Online sources

The initial building

The building was initiated in the 13th Century by Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath & Wells, friend and advisor to King Edward I. It is not known the extent of the estate, as much of the building has been completely destroyed or remains undiscovered. It would have been substantial enough to accommodate Edward I and his retinue, soldiers and advisers.
Robert Burnell also built the nearby Church of St Mary and the surrounding village.
In Autumn 1283, Edward I held a Parliament here, it is presumed in the great barn, the only building large enough. It significant in that it was the first time in English history that the law making process included the Commons. The law passed became known as the Statute of Acton Burnell, a law giving protection to creditors, indicating the increasing significance of traders during those times.
Robert Burnell was granted a licence by the king to crenellate and fortify the manor on January 28, 1284, a benefit only extended to trusted people.

Subsequent owners

When Robert Burnell died in 1292, the estate was passed down through the family line, eventually becoming owned by the Lovels of Titchmarsh, via a marriage. Following the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487, the land was confiscated by Henry VII, who in turn granted it to Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. By the time it passed to the Smythe family in the mid 17th cenury, it had been mostly demolished.

18th century conversion

The building of Acton Burnell Hall in the 18th century, saw Acton Burnell castle turned into an ornamental feature. Large entrance doors were knocked through the private residence buildings. A pyramid roof structure was placed on top of a tower, turning it into a dovecote.

Today's ruins

Today, Acton Burnell castle is maintained by English Heritage. All that remains open to the public is the shell of the former private residence, accessible via a footpath through a small wood. The rest of the land, and the relatively modern Acton Burnell hall is now a privately owned college. The gable ends of the great barn, where the parliament sat, survive and are situated on the private land.

References

Online sources

★ Acton Burnell Castle

★ Virtual Shropshire