Artwork by Lettie Holland

Whittington Castle is located 3 miles northeast of Oswestry in Shropshire, England.

Built in 845 by the Welsh Prince Ynyr ap Cadfarch it was seized by Roger de Montgomery who gave it to Sir William Peveril of the Peak.

The Normans were responsible for building the first substantial fortress on the site, sometime after 1086. The manor of Whittington was granted to William of Peveril and a Norman motte and bailey earthwork castle was built within the northern end of the Iron Age fort. The first distinct mention of the castle is in 1138, when it was owned by William Peverel, who supported Empress Matilda in her long-running battle for the English Crown against King Stephen (1135-1154).

Stephen's successor (and Matilda's son) Henry II then seized the castle and later handed it over to Roger de Powis. Fulk Fitz Warine also made a claim to Whittington Castle, believing it was his inheritance, following his marriage to Mellette Peverel.

When William Peverel's young daughter Mellette wanted to marry, this castle was given as dowry with the hand of Mellette to the winners of the Grand Tournament. Mellette had her heart set on none other than the most valiant.

Guarine de Metz, Sheriff of Shropshire won the contest, wife and castle. Their descendants held the castle for over four hundred years until 1420.

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