A Snapshot of Donnington Castle’s Past
Built in 1386 by Sir Richard Abberbury the Elder under licence from King Richard II, Donnington Castle originally stood as a fortified manor with strong curtain walls and a twin-towered gatehouse—designed to impress and defend. Over time, it passed through the hands of prominent families, including the Chaucers, and even hosted monarchs like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
Its most famous chapter came during the English Civil War when Royalist forces, led by Sir John Boys, defended the castle during a prolonged siege. Star-shaped defensive earthworks from this time can still be seen today. After the castle finally surrendered in 1646, Parliament ordered most of it destroyed, leaving behind the iconic gatehouse that still stands.