Due to unforeseen circumstances, most areas usually visited during a guided tour are closed to the public. Tours of the castle couryard, A Wing and C Wing will be provided by Lancashire County Council tour guides at a reduced price of £2.50 (adults), £1.50 (Children) and £6.50 (family)
Azure, six lioncels rampant, three, two, one Argent.
The family was from Aykhurst in Cumberland, but also held lands in Hope and Salford. Robert was born in 1273 and married into the powerful de Harcla family in 1316 (Sara).
During his term in office Lancaster was sacked by Robert the Bruce. Edward II sent William and Richard de Preston to his aid and the castle was not taken.
It is not known what effect the fall of Sara’s brother Andrew had on Robert’s fortunes, but he was keeper of Egremont Castle at the same time. He died in 1327.
Title:High Sheriff of Lancaster
Name: John Darcy
Herald date: 1323
Azure, semee of crosses crosslet and three cinquefolis pierced Argent.
The Darcy family held lands in Temple Newsham and Templehurst, Yorkshire and John was born about 1280, perhaps in Knaith, Yorkshire.
John became one of the most trusted advisors to Edward III and was appointed Sheriff of Yorkshire (1327-1328) and later Sheriff of Nottingham and Derbyshire. He was Steward to the king 1337-1340 and then Chamberlain 1342-1346.
John was summoned to Parliament in 1331, 1333 and 1342, and in 1342 he took part in the Earl of Northampton’s expedition to Flanders.
He was Constable of Nottingham Castle (1343-1344) and of the Tower of London (1345-1346). A soldier most of his life, John fought in many campaigns in France and Scotland, including Crecy (1346) after which he was among the delegation sent to England with news of the victory.
Married twice (Emmeline daughter of Sir Walter of Silkstone and Joan widow of Thomas Fitzjohn, Earl of Kildare) John was highly unpopular with large sections of the nobility. He was created First Lord Darcy of Knaith, and died on May 30th 1347. He is buried at Gisborough Priory.
Title:High Sheriff of Lancaster
Name: Sir Gilbert de Southworth
Herald date: 1323-1326
Argent, a chevron between three crosses crosslet Sable (shown botony).
From Southworth near Warrington, Gilbert married Alicia Dewyas in about 1322, the year of the Bruce’s sacking of the north- which included the Dewyas family home. Gilbert was the builder of Salmesbury Hall, which was to remain the family seat until 1678.
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: Sir Geoffey de Warburton
Herald date: 1327
Argent, two chevronels Gules on a canton of the second a mullet Or.
The family owned lands in Cheshire, at Arley and Warburton, from which it took its name; Gilbert’s father was born Peter Dutton.
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: John de Burghton
Herald date: 1327-1328
Argent, two bars and a canton Gules.
Little is known beyond the fact that he was the son of Sir Robert de Burghton from Furness.
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: Henry Plantagenet, Third Earl of Lancaster
Herald date: 1327-1345
Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or a bend Azure
After Thomas of lancaster’s rebellion and death in 1322 the titles and lands of Lancaster were forfeited to the Crown but eventually given to Thomas’s younger brother Henry, of whom little is known.
After the death of Edward II Henry was appointed as one of the young king’s guardians, indicating where his loyalites lay.
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: Sir John de Denum
Herald date: 1329-1332
Argent, a bend Sable lozengy Or cotised Gules
Little is known of John beyond the fact that he came from Herdwyk-juxta-Hesilden in Durham.
Deputy Sheriff under Henry Plantagenet
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: William de Clapham
Herald date: 1335-1336
Argent, on a bend Sable three covered cups of the field.
Originally from Surrey the family’s attempt to oppose William I and were forced to retreat to Yorkshire, settling in Clapham.
Deputy Sheriff under Henry Plantagenet.
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: Robert de Radcliffe
Herald date: 1337-1342
Argent, two bendlets engrailed Sable a label of three points Gules
From Ordsall, Salford
Deputy Sheriff under Henry Plantagenet
Title:High Sheriff of lancaster
Name: Sir William de Blount
Herald date: 1336-1337
Argent, two bendlets engrailed Sable a label of three points Gules
