Ancestry Magazine

Not many of us live in homes that have been in the family for 100 years—not to mention longer. But for the Penningtons, possessing the ancestral manor is no dream. Muncaster Castle has been in their family for more than 700 years. Take a look at a house history most of us can only dream of.

1208
King John grants land along the Esk river in Cumbria, England, to Alan de Penitone.

ca. 1258
Gamel de Mulcastre builds a castle on his family’s property.

1325
As skirmishes along the English and Scottish border in the Lake District increase, the castle is fortified with a stone peel tower. Created as a watch tower and living quarters, the structure has walls that are from three to 10 feet thick and contains three floors—one for storage, one for a hall and kitchen, and one for bedrooms.

1464
During a battle in the “War of the Roses,” King Henry VI is rescued by Sir John Pennington and given shelter at Muncaster Castle. To show his gratitude, the king presents Sir John with a glass drinking bowl, and, according to legend, the king informs his subjects that as long as the gift remains unbroken, the Pennington family will prosper in this place. (The legendary bowl, known as the “Luck of Muncaster,” is still intact today.)

ca. 1600
Muncaster Castle’s reputation as one of the most haunted places in Britain begins with the death of Tom Fool—short for Thomas Skelton—the castle’s jester. As stories have it, Tom would sit under a chestnut tree and direct travelers into quicksand—if he took a dislike to them. Oh, and he also cut off the head of the local carpenter. Castle visitors swear his pranks continue to this day. Tom Fool’s portrait still hangs in the castle’s hallway, and the 600-year-old tree he often sat under is still standing. Other spooks include the White Lady, who haunts the gardens, and the spirit of Mary Bragg, a young girl who was murdered on a nearby road.

1770s
The castle and estate are in a state of disrepair. Sir John Pennington invests enormous sums of money to begin renovations.

1780s
New walkways are created in the gardens, hundreds of hardwood trees are planted, and the interior of the castle sees its first library.

1862
Anthony Salvin, a famous Victorian architect, is hired to rebuild and restore the home. He covers the courtyard and adds barrel ceilings and another matching peel tower.

1917
The last male Pennington dies, but the castle is passed on through maternal lines.

1972
The World Owl Trust, the foremost organization for the conservation of owls and their habitats is formed, and Muncaster Castle becomes the charity’s headquarters. Today, the Centre at the castle contains one of the largest collections of owls in the world, and visitors can enjoy daily shows.

2007
Although the castle remains the residence of its current owners, Phyllida and Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, the property is open for a variety of activities. You can get married in the Great Hall, the Library, or the Drawing Room (complete with family portraits hanging on the wall), meet the birds in the Owl Centre; sleep over in the ghostly Tapestry Room, or take an afternoon to wander through hundreds of acres of woodlands.