2020’s Jacobite Anniversaries Expected to Boost English Castle with Connections

Important historical anniversaries in 2020 are anticipated to make Langley Castle Hotel, in the northern English county of Northumberland, the place to stay, for both those interested in the Jacobite uprisings and those overseas visitors intrigued by English and Scottish history.

August 19, 2020 marks the 275th anniversary of the Second Jacobite Rebellion – an event timed thirty years after the first rebellion, with both seeking to restore the exiled Stuart monarchy to the English throne.  November 8, 2020 marks the 275th anniversary of the invasion of England by Charles Edward Stuart, known by many as Bonnie Prince Charlie, or The Young Pretender, who led this Rebellion.

This historical personality – feted in poems and ballads such as the ‘Skye Boat Song’ and ‘Waes Me for Prince Charlie’ – will also be celebrated on December 31, 2020, on the 300th anniversary of his birth. 

The following day – January 1 2021 - is the 255th anniversary of the death of his father, James Francis Edward Stuart (The Old Pretender) who inspired the first Jacobite uprising.

The attempts to reinstate the exiled Stuart monarchs shaped the fortunes of Langley Castle in the 18th century, due to the allegiances of its owners – the Radcliffe (Radclyffe) family.  In 1688, Sir Francis Radcliffe was given the title of Earl of Derwentwater as well as being made Baron Tyndale and Viscount Langley.  His son, Edward Radcliffe, the Second Earl, married Lady Mary Tudor, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles II and ‘Moll’ Davis, entwining the fortunes of the family with the Stuarts.

Such was the allegiance that Edward and Mary’s son, James Radcliffe was brought up in the exiled Stuart court, at St Germain in France, where he was companion to the young James Francis Edward Stuart.  In 1705, James Radcliffe became the Third Earl Derwentwater, inheriting the family properties in Northumberland, including the then derelict Langley Castle.  He returned to England in 1710, residing at Dilston Hall.  In 1715, he joined the Jacobite conspiracy and, with a warrant out for his arrest, went into hiding. 

Having heard that the standard of the Old Pretender had been raised, James led a group of around 70 men in a march on Preston, Lancashire, with a view to raising more support further south.  He was captured at the Battle of Preston, where the Jacobite army was defeated, and was taken to the Tower of London. Despite many pleas for a pardon, he was beheaded on February 24, 1716.  When his body was taken back north, the Northern Lights were said to have been spectacular and are, to this day, known as Earl Derwentwater’s lights.

James’s brother Charles had marched with him to Preston but, despite also being arrested, escaped to Rome. On the death of his nephew, he became the 5th Earl of Derwentwater.  He resided at the Old Pretender’s court, where he was private secretary to Bonnie Prince Charlie. 

In November 1745, Charles was recaptured whilst sailing to Scotland to support the second Jacobite uprising and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s right to the throne and was taken to the Tower, to suffer the same fate as his brother.  The assets of the Derwentwaters, including Langley, were seized by the Crown and given to the Governors of the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich, so the hospital could benefit from valuable income from smelting mills at Langley, lead mines at Alston and farm rents. The castle was also stripped of its Barony.

In 1882, when the income dried up, the Governors sold Langley to a former Sheriff of Northumberland, Cadwallader John Bates.  He and his wife Josephine, lovingly restored Langley, but also paid homage to the Radcliffes.  Just a short walk down the road from Langley, guests can find a Celtic cross which reads:

To the memory of James and Charles, 

Viscounts Langley, Earls of Derwentwater,

beheaded on Tower Hill, London

24th February 1716 and 8th December 1746

for Loyalty to their Lawful Sovereign 

This is said to be the only English memorial that pays direct tribute to sacrifice for the Jacobite cause and is only one of two monuments to the Radcliffe family in England, with the other being the Radcliffe Obelisk in Acton Park, London, which is a commemoration to James Radcliffe.

In 2007, the current owner of Langley Castle, Dr Stuart Madnick, reunited Langley Castle with the title of Baron of Langley, which he managed to secure from the Crown.  The hotel, which was turned into a luxury hotel in 1986, has amazing castle rooms, which include the Radcliffe Room, the Derwentwater Room and the Greenwich Room.

With this rich story underpinning the castle’s history, there is little wonder that Langley is an intriguing place to stay.  For overseas visitors travelling between England and Scotland, it is also a fabulous stop-off, with many guests using it as a halfway point on a journey between London and Edinburgh.  Whilst at Langley, they can enjoy a daily Battlements Tour, which explains Langley’s history throughout its 670 years.

Notably, another anniversary that may prompt visits to Langley in 2020, because of its proximity to the Scottish border, is the 700th anniversary of the declaration of Scottish independence by Robert the Bruce, which falls on April 6 and which will be celebrated in Arbroath – a do-able 5-hour drive from the castle.

And those interested in earlier history can also take a short drive to Hadrian’s Wall and relive the days of the Romans.

Anyone wishing to stay at Langley Castle, whether they are interested in history or not, can do so from a price of £99 per person, per night (including a Northumbrian breakfast) according to the accommodation selected.  As well as having Feature and Deluxe rooms inside the castle, Langley has Castle View rooms in the grounds, which offer a different perspective – a view of the castle – and which also provide total comfort.

Visit www.langleycastle.co.uk to find out more.

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Editors notes

Langley Castle, built in 1350, is located in Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland and is one of the few authentic, fortified medieval castles in England. It has a rich history, with strong links to Jacobite rebellions, is located just a stone's throw from the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall and boasts features including battlements, seven-feet-thick walls, window seats set into the walls and the best example of medieval garderobes in Europe. It is one of the most exquisite wedding venues in the north and also offers a wide range of options when it comes to exclusive use, with the castle being available for weddings, family celebrations, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, D&D-style events and a wide variety of corporate functions.