Winter Solstice 2017
Ventured on another solstice journey after dropping Raye at Holbrook Hall to see Celia, so only had an hour or so. Had checked a place I had never been yet it was close by. It is Hortston or Horsley Castle which was a Norman motte and bailey castle as explained below. Wikipedia states:- "Horston Castle (sometimes spelt Horeston and also known as Horsley Castle) is about 1 mile to the south of the village Horsley, some 5 miles north of the English city of Derby (grid reference SK375432). The ruinous site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument but, as at 2008, is a Building at Risk. It was a Norman motte and bailey castle which was founded by Ralph de Buron. In the 13th century King John built a stone castle, adding a keep, a chapel, a gatehouse and a barbican. In 1514 it was granted by Henry VIII to the Duke of Norfolk as a reward for services against the Scots. Later it came into the possession of the Stanhope family. The castle is ruined today, damaged by extensive quarrying. The...