Wem Castle and Blakemere Castle in Shropshire

By Chester Chronicle on Feb 5, 09 12:52 PM in 2000 onwards

These descriptions are taken from Castles of Shropshire by Peter and Anne Duckers.

Wem Castle

THE original motte and bailey was probably built in 1135-50 by the Pantulfs.

It passed to the Butlers in the 1230s but seems to have fallen into decay by the 1290s.

Then, under the tenancy of Hugh Fitz Aer, it was rebuilt in 1310 and remained in use into the mid-15th Century, when it passed into the Audley family. It was dismantled in about 1469.

Evidence suggests its military function had so far declined that house building had encroached into its perimeters.

Wem was unusual in that it did not declare for either side early in the Civil War, but in 1643 it was occupied by a parliamentary army. They repulsed a Royalist attack, then Wem became the principal parliamentary headquarters in Shropshire, defeating further Royalist attacks in 1644 and 45.

There's not much left of the castle now - it stood metres from the west door of the church of St Peter and St Paul, and is surrounded by development, lying entirely in a private garden.

The mound has been reduced during the years and parts of its infill and masonry removed.

Blakemere Castle

THE remains of Blakemere Castle can be found 1km north east of Whitchurch on the south side of Blakemere Pool.

This roughly square, moated site is all that is left of the castle of the Talbots, Earls of Shrews- bury, who acquired Blakemere in the late 14th Century from the original owners, the le Strange family.

The Talbots sold the manor in 1590 and it's believed it was damaged during the Civil War, as from the late 1690s it was described as a ruin.

The platform, measuring 54 x 52 metres, rises up to two metres above the surrounding ground and stands within the remains of a wide moat, now dry.

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