Knaresborough Castle

Edward II (1284-1327) suffered a turbulent reign in English history and Knaresborough Castle found itself at the heart of it. Firstly, the Honour and Castle of Knaresborough was granted to Edward's friend (and lover), Piers Gaveston, who was hugely unpopular with the powerful barons of the time. Gaveston met his end in 1312, but civil unrest continued and Knaresborough Castle was seized by supporters of the Earl of Lancaster in 1317. The following year, having been retaken by the castle constable, Knaresborough Castle became the last place of refuge for the townsfolk as a Scottish incursion devastated much of the area.

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