Slingsby Castle talk (Friends of Malton Museum)

Wednesday 15 January 2020, 7.30pm, The Library, Malton School (E wing), Middlecave Road, Malton YO17 7NH

Friends of Malton Museum Lecture by Kate Giles and Margaret MacKinder. The story of Slingsby Castle, one of Ryedale’s lost Renaissance masterpieces. The ruined building today dates from the 1630s and was built by one of England’s earliest named architects, John Smythson for Charles Cavendish, a member of the Cavendish family of Derbyshire, whose passion for building resulted in the great houses of Hardwick, Chatsworth and Welbeck Abbey. Even earlier designs, for an even grander moated fantasy building designed by Robert Smythson, John Smythson’s father, also survive, and were realised at Caverswall Castle in Cheshire. These buildings were themselves constructed on the site of an earlier medieval castle, whose stone and structures were probably recycled in the building’s reconstruction.
Kate and Margaret will take us through the story of Slingsby, showing how its various phases relate to contemporary houses and reflecting on its future today as a ruin and nature reserve. Their talk accompanies the launch of a new exhibition in Slingsby church, funded by the National Lottery (Heritage Fund).

Admission: Friends Free of charge; Visitors, are very welcome, £4.00.