Sizergh Castle
Description of Sizergh Castle
Sizergh is a medieval citadel situated in Helsington parish in Cumbria County of United Kingdom. Sizergh Castle was constructed in 14th century. During Elizabethan age it was improved and Tudor style residence was added to the military fortifications that lost much of its strategic importance. It was surrounded by a large garden that covers an area of 647 hectares (1,600 acres). It is famous residence of Catherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII who was lucky enough to outlive her husband. The castle is open to the public and boast a rich collection of old paintings.
The Deincourt family owned the lands around Sizergh Castle from
1170, and in the marriage of Elizabeth Deincourt with Sir William
Stirkeland in 1239, the estate passed into the hands of the
Strickland family, who owned it until it was donated to the
Foundation National in 1950. The family still lives in the castle.
The heart of the medieval castle is a 14th century solar tower
surrounded by a manor house. It was enlarged in the Elizabethan era
first, and in 1770 again, expanding the Great Hall in Georgian
style.
The interior is lined with carved oak panels, especially the Inlaid
Chamber (Chamber of inlays), furnished with furniture of the period
and paneling inlaid with poplar and oak. The contents of this camera
were sold to the Victoria and Alberto Museum, which during part of
the 20th century began to return the panels little by little. All of
them were restored in 1999 under a long-term loan.
Sizergh Castle houses a collection of paintings, including portraits
of María de Modena and her daughter Luisa María Teresa Stuart,
painted by Alexis Simon Belle.
