Barden, lying between Bolton Abbey to the South and Burnsall to the North was part
of the Craven Estates granted to the Norman baron Robert de Romille after the Conquest.
The name Barden means “the valley of the wild boar” in Anglo-
The Tower was originally one of several hunting lodges in the forest. Its importance soon grew as it became an administrative centre holding forest courts. The Tower became a miniature castle capable of defending itself against marauders including the Scots and an outpost for chasing poachers.
In 1310 Barden and all the surrounding lands came into possession of the Clifford family. They were staunch Lancastrians and became the sworn enemy of the Yorkist kings. Henry, the 10th Lord Clifford “the Shepherd Lord” was born during the War of the Roses and had to live in exile hidden in the Cumbrian Fells. When Henry VII became king in 1485 the Lancastrian families regained their lands and The Shepherd Lord decided to live at Barden Tower in preference to other much grander castles.
He enlarged the Tower and built the chapel at the nearby Priests House and, with the Canons of Bolton Priory, had a keen interest in astronomy which led to the upstairs dining room being named the “Stargazers Room”. He became more recluse from the outside world although holding regular feasts for the locals in the Great Hall.
It is thought that the pikes and halberds still hanging from the beams in the main restaurant dining area were used at the Battle of Flodden. An alternative view is that they were part of a stock of weapons used to quell the Jacobite rebellion in 1745. Either way they are a grim reminder of times gone by. An ancient longbow has also been recently discovered hidden in the chapel.
The Shepherd Lord died in 1523 and the Tower largely reverted back to a hunting lodge for several generations.
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This was not the end though. Lady Anne Clifford contested the will of her father that the estates should be bequeathed to the male heirs and finally came into possession of them in 1643. Initially the Civil Wars prevented much progress being made but by 1657 restoration work on the Tower was underway. As a seal of her work a plaque on the South Wall says
“by the Ladie Anne Clifford countess Dowager of Pembrokee Dorsett and Montgomery Baroness Clifford Westmerland and veseie lady of the honor of Skipton in Craven and high sherifesse by inheritance of of the Countie of Westmerland in the yeares 1658 and 1659 after it had been layne ruinous ever since about 1589 when her mother lay in itt and was greate with child with her till nowe that itt was repayred by sayd lady. ISA. Chapt. 58. Ver. 12. Gods name be praised!”
After Lady Anne died in 1676, Barden returned to its rightful owners, the Earls of Cork and Burlington. Through this family it descended to the Dukes of Devonshire who still own it today. However the Tower has not been lived in since the death of Lady Anne and it became a ruin through the 18th Century.
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Beneath and to the rear of the restaurant is the former Barden Chapel, for many years the private chapel for the Barden Tower community, but now deconsecrated and neglected. The windows have been vandalised but the main fabric of the chapel is still essentially fine. Skipton castle historians still visit regularly looking for stonemason marks, comparing them with other North Yorkshire venues of the same age.
This could be a tremendous facility for the local area and plans are being drawn up to refurbish and bring back into use as a civil wedding venue for medieval banquets, concerts and other function purposes. It will be able to accommodate around 80 guests.
Being grade 1 listed though, this may take some time to come to fruition. A planning application is currently being developed to be submitted to the Yorkshire Dales planning authorities and English Heritage.
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