THE P RTAL
May 2012 Page 12
Ripley Castle
Eliza Treblecock visits Ripley Castle near Harrogate
Harrogate is a splendid town , with Ripley Castle is just a short distance away . The home of the Ingleby family for at least seven hundred years , the Castle is open to the public . It is set in beautiful countryside and is still in private hands . Wonderfully maintained , the Castle is an important local employer and the Ingleby family remains at the heart of local life .
Blessed Francis Ingleby
The family boasts of one ancestor elevated to the ranks of the “ Blessed ”. This is Blessed Francis Ingleby ( 1550-1586 ). Short but wellmade , fair-complexioned , with a chestnut beard and a slight cast in his eyes , Francis was ordained deacon at Rheims on Saturday 24th September 1582 and priest at Laon on Saturday 24th December 1583 . On Wednesday 4th April the following year he set sail for England .
His mission appears to have been fruitful in the North of England . Elizabeth ’ s Government had passed a law that made it illegal for any Catholic priest to enter or remain in England , or for anyone to aid or shelter them . The penalty was death .
The young Sir Thomas Ingleby explores the priest ’ s hole with his father , the late Sir Joslan Ingleby , soon after its discovery
Francis was well aware of the danger he was in , but knew also that his mission was important .
priest ’ s hole
At Ripley Castle there was a hide , or “ priest ’ s hole ”. It was no mere cosmetic , but an essential tool for his survival . There had been uprisings in Yorkshire in 1536 / 7 and
1569 , so the authorities were doing much to prevent a third . The move backfired for , as persecution increased , the number of recusants in Yorkshire began to grow
execution
Francis was confessor to the famous Saint Margaret Clitherow . Asked for a Blessing by a fellow Catholic , he was observed giving the Blessing , arrested and clapped in irons . His trial was on 2nd June 1586 and he was executed at York on 3rd July . The execution was brutal , he being hanged , drawn and quartered .
1964
At the time of the Restoration , in 1688 , the Ingleby family became Anglican , and remain so today . But the story of Blessed Francis was not over , nor was the family ’ s Catholic heritage . In 1964 the “ priest ’ s hole ” was discovered at Ripley Castle . It seems reasonable to assume that Blessed Francis spent time hidden in it . It is tiny and would be uncomfortable for anyone cramped inside .
The Castle has many interesting features , and if the other guides are half as good as Bill Forshaw who was on duty when The Portal was at Ripley Castle , visitors are well served .
recusant Yorkshire
The Castle was built in 1555 and was at the very centre of recusant Yorkshire . It seems that the Ingleby family were up to their necks in the Gunpowder Plot . Guy Fawkes came from Scotten , just two miles from Ripley .
Civil War
A chilling reminder of troubled times past survives in the walls of the Gatehouse . In one wall are the holes made by the muskets that were used to kill hostages during the Civil War . Oliver Cromwell stayed the night at Ripley , despite that fact that the Inglebys were for the King . Nevertheless , the hostages were lined up against the Gatehouse wall and shot .
A visit to Ripley Castle is a joy . There is a good restaurant and ample parking . Not far away is Fountains Abbey , and that is also worth a visit !
Ripley Castle , Ripley , Harrogate , North Yorkshire , HG3 3AY - 01423 770152 enquiries @ ripleycastle . co . uk www . ripleycastle . co . uk