Acton Burnell Castle, Acton Burnell, Shropshire
Acton Burnell Castle is the ruins of a 13th century fortified house. In 1284 Robert Burnell, who served as secretary to Edward I, was granted a licence by the king to crenellate and fortify a property at Acton Burnell. He replaced an earlier house in which he was born. Work continued on the manor throughout Burnell's lifetime. It seems likely that it was still in progress at his death in 1292. The property stayed in the family but stopped being used as a home by 1420. It then passed by marriage to the Lovells of Titchmarsh. It was consficated by Henry VII in 1485 and given to the Earl of Surrey in return for his services at the Battle of Flodden. In the 16th century it became part of the estates of the Duke of Norfolk. By the 17th century it had passed to the Smythe family. At this time most of the original buildings had been demolished. In the 18th century Acton Burnell Hall was built to the north of the castle. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
