Chartley Castle lies in ruins and is a Grade II* listed building. The original motte and bailey castle was constructed by one of the early Earls of Chester around 1100. It was rebuilt in stone in 1220 by Ranulph de Blondeville, 4th Earl of Chester. Around 1485, the castle was abandoned as a residence, and Chartley Manor, a moated and battlemented timber mansion, was built nearby.
According to Coxe, there is a legend associated of cattle bred by the Ferrers family. The cattle were normally white with red ears, but if a black calf was born it was said to presage death of one of the Ferrers.
Pictured left are the ruins of Chartley Castle courtesy of Stephen Jones.
Stowe-by-Chartley,
Stafford,
Staffordshire,
ST18 0LN.
For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe.