« Back to Projects Dashboardby David Ross, from http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cheshire/castles/beeston.htmThe striking ruins of this 13th century castle stand on a 500 foot high cliff of red sandstone, providing excellent views of the surrounding countryside. The site was first used as a fortress in the Bronze Age, and traces remain of that early hill fort. The castle was begun in 1226 by Ranulf, Earl of Chester (1170-1232), in a quite peculiar (for England) Saracen style. Ranulf was heavily influenced by the defenses he encountered in Syria during his time on Crusade. In particular the castle bears heavy resemblance to the fortress at Sahyoun. Ranulf died in 1232, long before the construction of Beeston was complete. His [nephew] John* inherited Beeston, but John, too, died soon after, and the castle passed to the crown. Henry III used Beeston as a garrison and prison during his wars in Wales. Around 1303 Edward I strengthened the defenses, but after that it gradually fell into disuse.
