Here it stands, ravaged by time, hidden in obscurity, when to the south, its much rebuilt sister castle is world famous - a tourist site, art gallery, and featured in literally hundreds of books, television programs and feature films! Yes, just 12 miles to the north and west of Nottingham Castle, the obscure Codnor Castle sleeps on. Yet, for me, and hundreds of other people in the tiny little Derbyshire village, this is THE castle, OUR castle - and not too many folk can say they have a castle in their village!
I'll give you that it is no Warwick, or Windsor or even Nottingham - but I played around its walls as a young boy, and learnt about it in the little village school; and it WAS to have its moment of media glory, as you will find out.
The year was 1085, and William the Conqueror had ordered that a complete survey of his new realm be undertaken - he wanted to find out just how much he could raise in taxes! In 1086, the results were in; Codnor was listed - under its old name of Cotenoure. It was an extremely small place, just four households, comprising 11 villagers, two smallholders and three freemen. However, it managed to boast a mill and a church. There was enough land for '7 ploughs' (one plough would take a week, seven ploughs, one day) and some woodland. A man named Warner held it as Lord of the Manor, from his feudal overlord, William Peverel (sometimes spelt, 'Peveril')
Why would such a tiny spot be the site of one of the early Norman wood and earth, 'motte and bailey' castles? There is a two part answer to that seemingly simple question. The spot where Codnor Castle now stands, about a mile from the center of the present village, is on the lip of a shallow valley and dominates the little River Erewash and the approach to Nottingham to the south and east. William Peverel (1040-1115) was a VERY powerful man of the time. It is thought that William was very likely the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror – Guillaume le Conquérant – for the Conqueror gifted him no less than 162 manors in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, following the Conquest. William Peverel (sometimes spelt, 'Peveril') moved quickly to seize control of the 'Honour of Peverel' as his new lands were known. He caused three 'motte and bailey' castles to be built, Peveril Castle (c.1080), Codnor Castle (c.1086) and Bolsover Castle (c.1086). The latter two are on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border - ideal for supervising the 'Honour of Peverel'. Sadly, this huge amount of land caused envy, and the Peverels did not enjoy their property for too long, as it was taken by the Crown.
The de Grey family, one with powerful connections and branches in several counties, acquired Codnor Castle in 1200, when Henry de Grey married the heiress Isolda Bardolf. It was he who built a strong fortress in stone, to protect the heiress's dowry. The de Greys were decended from Anchetil de Greye, who held his lands in Normandy from the Conqueror, himself, and had taken part in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
During the Hundred Years War with France, which paradoxically raged from 1337 to 1453 - a seemingly never-ending series of skirmishes, political maneuvers, invasions and campaigns (rather like "War on Terror Lite") - the de Greys sent a powerful contingent of fighting men -162 archers and 68 mounted lancers - forth from their village of Codnor; indeed it is certain that many of these men would have taken part in the famous Battle of Agincourt (25 October 1415) under the leadership of their Sovereign, Henry V.
Just as with all dynasties, the star of the Grey family waned. Henry Grey had taken part in the Wars of the Roses, and after was allowed to take up alchemy by Henry VII, providing he handed over a portion of any gold he found! Unfortunately, there came a time when the Barony fell into 'abeyance', as Henry had married, but left no issue when he died in 1496. That meant that there were three female relations who each had equal claim to the title. In effect, the title was suspended, and it became highly likely that there would never be another Lord Grey of Codnor.
The castle was purchased by the Zouche family and they lived there for many years, until the bankruptcy of Sir George Zouche, who had had business interests in Virginia since the early days of that Colony. The last owner to live in the castle was Sir Streynsham Master in 1692. After the Master family left, no less than 'seven farmhouses of stone' were taken from the dilapidated building. Codnor Castle was 'mined' for the finished stone which made up its fabric (see my diary on Hadrian's Wall). There is one particularly greivous loss, however. A particularly fine stone 'dovecote' had survived from the Middle Ages. It stood in the grounds of an adjacent farm, and I can remember seeing it on walks. Sadly, against local ordinances, the farmer decided he would demolish it one day in April, 1969 - and we awoke to the loss of a Mediaeval structure.
Despite being a registered as a Scheduled Ancient Monument the castle is still classified as a Building at Risk. The castle, and its lands were bought by a local company for the mineral rights, and coal was mined by the opencast method in the 1960s and 70s. The land has since been 'restored', and the castle and other property was recently sold by UK Coal Ltd. to a local farmer.
The moment of glory? The UK's then premier archeology TV series, 'Time Team' (Channel 4) filmed a three day dig at Codnor Castle in June, 2007. This formed part of Series 15, that year. Many fine pieces of stonework were uncovered, and the site of the former moat was confirmed. However, the biggest find was a superb solid gold 'noble' coin of Henry V, dating from the 1420s, which is now on display at Derby Museum. Needless to say, I have a copy of this particular DVD.
I must confess to being a member of the Codnor Castle Heritage Trust, and I was lucky enough to attend their very first public event and guided tour on the 5th August, 2011. Oh, and the Lords Grey of Codnor? Well, believe it or not, the Barony has been revived and there is 'The Right Honourable, The Lord Grey', once more (although he does not live in the county; he lives in nearby Cheshire). The family had been fighting to get their title back, since the title fell into abeyance in 1496. In 1926, a strong, new claim was first set forth, and laid before the Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords; finally, in 1989, the claim was allowed, and Charles Legh Shuldham Cornwall-Legh became the 5th Baron Grey of Codnor. His son, Richard Henry Cornwall-Legh, succeeded to the title in 1996, becoming the 6th Baron.
One thing I especially like about the coat of arms of the Barons Grey of Codnor; the scroll which carries their motto contains just two words, 'Play Fair'.
I do so hope that you have enjoyed this little glimpse into the past.
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