Perhaps better enlarged

Helmsley Castle stands on an outcrop of rock in the valley of the river Rye, overlooking the historic market town of the same name to the east.

First raised by Walter Espec in the early 12th century, the castle was rebuilt in stone by Robert de Ros II from the 1190's, with his great East Tower overlooking the town.

Robert's descendants developed the defences and the domestic accommodation of the castle throughout the Middle Ages. In the late 16th century the Manners family built a mansion within the inner bailey.

During the Civil War, in 1644, the Royalist-held castle was besieged by Parliament. Upon its surrender, much of the medieval defences and the east tower were demolished , although the Elizabethan house remained in occupation.

Banker Charles Duncombe bought the Helmsley estate in 1695 and a grand new house, Duncombe Park, was built nearby from 1713. The castle was never lived in again and slowly decayed into a picturesque ruin.

The castle passed into State guardianship in 1923, and is now conserved by English Heritage.