Acton Burnell Castle

A Bit of History…

Tucked away in a quiet part of Shropshire is the graceful red sandstone shell of Acton Burnell Castle. Although the name suggests it’s a castle it is actually more of a fortified manor house.

The owner of the manor house was Bishop Robert Burnell, who was Edward I‘s Lord Chancellor. In 1284 Burnell obtained a licence from King Edward I to fortify his residence. The large first-floor windows suggest that it never had a serious defensive purpose and was most likely designed to impress.

Building of the castle started in 1284 by Robert Burnell and was completed around 1293. Therefore, work was probably still in progress when he died in 1292. He used the beautiful warm red sandstone to build the nearby St Mary’s Church as well as to fortify his comfortable residence.

The Burnell family of Acton Burnell held land in Shropshire from the 1180s, though it was a century later that Robert Burnell came to prominence. Entering royal service as a clerk to Henry III‘s son Prince Edward, he rose to become Chancellor of England and Bishop of Bath and Wells when the prince acceded to the throne as Edward I in 1272.

Edward I’s military campaigns in Wales frequently brought him to Shropshire, at which time he stayed at Acton Burnell Castle. Robert would have been expected to entertain his king appropriately on his regular visits. His visit in 1283 assumed national significance when he held a parliament, which was supposedly the first time commoners were represented. King Edward held parliaments twice at Acton Burnell, the second time being in 1285.

By 1420 the castle was abandoned and it was allowed to decay. Today, all that remains is the shell of the former private residence. Nonetheless, it was saved from alterations and the castle still remains an impressive example of a medieval fortified manor house.