Fig.1                       CLICK ON PLAN TO ENLARGE

The de Grey family were one of the most powerful families in England, and for almost 300 years generation after generation of the de Grays were Lord of the manor of Codnor.

During the early 14th century Richard de Grey replaced the early square gate house with a more impressive entrance flanked by twin circular towers. It is unclear whether the entire south facing facade was rebuilt or just the gate house as all four towers seem to have different architecture. King Edward IIs visit to Codnor castle in 1322 may have prompted the building improvements.

Fig.2 Remains of the twin Gate towers 1980s. Both towers have two croslet windows. Gateway between was blocked during the 1800s.

The castle was further extended during the 15th century with the addition of a new south court almost doubling the size of the castle. Much of this later building is now missing and it is difficult to understand the layout of the south court, and its relationship with the original building.

Fig.3 South court showing details of twin Mural chambers and fireplace 1980s. Another pair of Mural chambers existed but are now collapsed.

By 1496 Henry, the 7th Baron Grey of Codnor had died without lawful issue. His Will stated that the castle and its estates should go to his uncle Sir John Zouch who was married to Elizabeth Grey. The king recognised the Will and the Ownership of the castle and estates moved to the Zouch family.

The Zouch family continued to make additions to the castle. A large section of the West-facing wall of the Keep was rebuilt with a huge fireplace for the great hall. The moat, which was no longer used for defensive purposes, was enlarged at the northern end to form a small lake. The Zouch family also started to extract coal and ironstone from the surrounding parkland, whilst the grounds around the castle were landscaped and turned into ornate gardens designed to impress visiting dignitaries.

But in 1634 the Zouch family sold the castle and its estates and moved to Virginia America. The reason for this decision is not clear but possibly the financial cost of all the building and landscaping bankrupted the family..

It may have been the Zouch family who were initially responsible for dismantling parts of the castle, possibly to pay off debts by selling stone for building, but the next owner certainly continued with this theme.

Dr Richard Neile, Archbishop of York was considered to be a land hungry courtier that was only interested in buying and selling land at a substantial profit, and he took the opportunity to sell large amounts of stone from the castle. It was during the next few years that as many as six farms were built from Codnor Castle stone.

Castle farm, Home farm, Hoggbarn farm, Knowts hall cottage, The stone cottage 37 Nottingham Road and the last one being the cottage at the end of Station Lane Crosshill.

Eventually Dr Richard Neile’s Grandson also called Richard sold the Codnor castle estate to Sir Streynsham Master in 1692.

Fig.4 Sir Streynsham Master

After his death in 1724, his son Legh inherited Codnor Castle. He commisioned Samuel & Nathaniel Buck to make a drawing of the Castle how it looked then. This picture is the earliest image of the castle and shows the remains of the north court.

Fig.5 West view of Codnor Castle by Samuel & Nathaniel Buck 1727.

The inscription either side the Master coat-of-arms reads:

Lefthand side: To L.E.G.H. MASTER Esq^r. owner of these Remains.
This Prospect is humbly Inscribed by his Obliged humble Servants
Sam^l. & Nath ^l. Buck.

Righthand side: This Castle in former times called Coutenour; belonged to ye Barons Grey, thereupon called Lords Grey of Codenor, from w^ch Family it came to ye Zouches by ye Marriage of S^r. Jo^es. De le Zouch, second son of W^m. L ^d. de le Zouch of Harringworth n ^th. Elz. Ye only Heir of Hen: Grey, ye last Lord of Codenor & at pres ^t. belongs to Legh. Master Esq^r. S. B. delin. N.B. Sculp. 1727

The castle remained in the hands of the Master family until 1862, when Charles Legh Hoskins Master sold the estate to the Butterley Company. The company increased the mining activity, further damaging the fragile castle remains. Eventually in 1968 the Butterley company sold the estate to Bernard Swain who in turn sold it to the National Coal Board in 1978.

The castle is now a grade 1 listed monument and has been added to the English Heritage "Buildings at risk" register. In 2008 UK Coal completed a program of consolidation work designed to stop any further deteriation of the castle.

Fig.7 Great hall viewed from South East during the consolidation of 2008

Several artifacts have been found in and around the castle, some are listed below.

Information for this page was obtained from the following sources.

Baronia Anglica Concentra By Sir T.C.Banks 1844

Monastic & Baronial Remains By G.J.Parkyns, Esq. 1816

Dorment & Extinct Baronage of England By T.C.Banks Esq. 1808

History Of The County Of Derby By Stephen Glover. 1829

Testamenta Vetusta By Nicholas Harris Nicolas Esq. 1826

Some Notices Of The Family Of Master By Rev George Streynsham Master. 1874

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