Peveril Castle
Peveril Castle is an 11th century stone enclosure fortress, founded by William Peverel. Standing on an impregnable ridge, a walled and ditched D-shaped outer bailey and originally an inner wooden keep, guarded the bridge that spanned the Peak Cavern gorge. Flanked by a shallow 12th century buttressed turret, the northern curtain wall of the sloping triangular inner bailey, displays herringbone masonry of the 1080s. In 1174, King Henry II added a small elegant square keep of two rooms, which survives almost to its full height and also in the inner bailey are the foundations of service ranges, a chapel and two halls. The 12th century round-arched gateway which is now the main entrance to the castle, was originally only the back or town gate. The castle fell into disuse during the early 15th century and by the early 17th century, only the keep remained in use as a courthouse. After the Tudor times, the courts were abandoned and the site gradually became a ruin.
Peveril Castle, known locally as the Castle of the Peak Urban Myths and Legends
A white knight in clanking armour is said to stalk the keep while his phantom horse waits below.
Strange blue lights sometimes illuminate the castle at night and evil ‘shuck’ pads about the precincts. These phantom black dogs are reported in all parts of the country and have different local names. Whatever they are called, however, their appearance means the same thing. Bad luck!
Castleton Garland Ceremony, held in the shadow of Peveril Castle.
The mysterious ceremony held each year on Oak Apple Day – May 29 – had sinister beginnings.
The 'king' is paraded upon horseback around village streets unseen under a garland of flowers. At the parish church the garland is hoisted and left to wither and die.
Peak Cavern
Known charmingly as the Devil's Arse in past centuries, the cavern has long been seen as an entrance to the otherworld.
Legend tells how during the one winter during the Middle Ages, a swineherd lost one of his sows. In fear of what his master the Lord of Peveril Castle would do, and desperate to find his animal, he decided to enter the cavern even though he feared it almost as much as his lord.
He walked deep into the cave and eventually emerged into bright sunlight. Before him stood a broad plain in the peak of the years harvest. The weather was warm and the land seemed to be in the flourish of Summer. He managed to find his sow and the Lord of the land allowed him to return back through the cavern. He emerged into this world and back to the cold of Midwinter.
The cavern was probably venerated in the past as a sacred place where the veil between this world and the next was thin. It is likely that it became associated with the Devil in later times under the influence of the church.
Peveril Castle
Castleton
Derbyshire
England
S33 8WQ
Location: 15 miles W of Sheffield on the A6187
