Wikipedia:Today's featured article/August 7, 2012

Peveril Castle is a medieval building overlooking the village of Castleton in the English county of Derbyshire. Its site provides views across the Hope Valley and Cave Dale. The castle is named after its founder, William Peveril, who held lands in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire on behalf of the king. It was built some time between the Norman Conquest in 1066 and its first recorded mention in 1086, in the Domesday Book. Nearby Castleton benefited from the presence of the castle, which acted as the administrative centre of an independent lordship called Peak. There were periods of building work at the castle in the 13th century, with Peveril's final form established by 1300. Near the end of the 14th century, the lordship was granted to John of Gaunt. Having little use for the castle, he ordered some of its material to be stripped out for reuse, marking the beginning of its decline. Since that time, the castle has been administered by the Duchy of Lancaster. Peveril Castle became less important administratively and in 1609 was described as "very ruinous and serveth for no use". In the 19th century, Sir Walter Scott featured the castle in his novel Peveril of the Peak. The site is cared for by English Heritage and situated in a national park. Peveril Castle is protected as a scheduled monument and a Grade I listed building. (more...)

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