Early history

There is evidence that Halton Hill was a settlement in prehistoric times.^[4] Construction of the castle began in 1071 after Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester, gave the land to Nigel of Cotentin, who built a wooden motte-and-bailey castle.^[5] This was replaced by a sandstone castle in the 13th century, which still stands.^[2] When the 15th baron, Henry Bolingbroke, became King Henry IV, the castle became the property of the Duchy of Lancaster.^[3]

In 1207 King John visited and donated £5 towards the upkeep of its chapel.^[6] Edward II visited the castle for three days in November 1323, during which time he also visited Norton Priory.^[6]

A new gate tower was built between 1450 and 1457.^[7] During the Tudor period it was primarily used as a prison,^[8] an administrative centre, and a court of law.^[9] In 1580–81 the castle was designated as a prison for Catholic recusants.^[2] According to a survey of the Royal Palaces in 1609, the castle had fallen into disrepair by then.^[7]

Civil War

At the outbreak of the Civil War the castle was garrisoned by the Royalists under the command of Captain Walter Primrose who had been appointed by Earl Rivers. It was besieged by Roundhead Parliamentary forces under Sir William Brereton in 1643 and, after several weeks' fighting, the Royalists surrendered. They regained control under Colonel Fenwick after the Parliamentarians abandoned the castle to focus on Royalist forces led by Prince Rupert. There was a second siege in 1644 but, as the fortunes of the Royalists declined elsewhere, they withdrew from Halton and the Parliamentarians under Sir William Brereton re-occupied the castle.^[8] In 1646 a "Council of War" was held in Warrington where it was decided that the defences of the castles at Halton and Beeston should be dismantled. Halton Castle served no military function after this time.^[10] By 1650 the castle was said to be "very ruinous".^[7]

Later history

The condition of the building continued to deteriorate although the gatehouse remained in use as a court.^[7] In 1728 George Cholmondeley, 2nd Earl of Cholmondeley, leased the site from the Crown.^[11] In 1737 a courthouse was built on the site of the medieval gatehouse. Henry Sephton, a Liverpool architect and builder, and John Orme, a joiner from Prescot, were appointed to carry out the work.^[12] The first floor was the courtroom and prisoners were held in the basement.^[13] By 1792 the courthouse had fallen into disrepair and money was found to repair it, although the source of that money is unclear.^[14] The court continued to function there until 1908.^[15]

In around 1800, three folly walls had been added to the existing ruined walls on the east side of the castle to make it look more impressive from Norton Priory, the home of Sir Richard Brooke. One of these walls was demolished in around 1906. During the Victorian era a sunken garden and two bowling greens were constructed within the castle enclosure.^[16] In 1977 the castle was leased to Halton Borough Council.^[17] In 1986–87 the site of the castle was excavated.^[18]