Apley Castle

APLEY is situated one mile from Wellington. It is said to be the third castle built here, the original one having been erected by John de Charlton, who owned the manor and married Hawise, the heiress of Powis Castle; he obtained in 1308 a licence to crenellate his house. The present owner of the site, Colonel Sir Thomas Meyrick, Bart., who is a descendant of this founder, still holds the original document.

There are no remains whatever of this first castle, and what is left of the fine Jacobean mansion that succeeded it is used as an outhouse for a third castle of Apley. The second house was built at a cost of £6000 by one Thomas Hanmer, who had married the widow of Francis Charlton, and was living when the Civil War broke out. Being so near to Shrewsbury, the fortress was coveted by both sides, and the owner, being obliged to declare himself one way or the other, or have his house blown up, fortilied it for the king, arming his servants and tenants for a garrison. But the place was very soon taken from him, and at once dismantled, after being plundered to the extent of £1500, and the lead of the roof taken awav for the repairs of Shrewsbury Castle.

The Castles of England - Their Story And Structure
by Sir James D. Mackenzie 1896