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in
Germany. The Earl also commissioned Pugin to develop the surrounding area on castle hill. A "replica of a medieval hospital, a guildhall and presbytery" were constructed; dedicated to St John the Baptist, the buildings served as a church and hospital (almshouses) and were designed to provide and
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in the 12th century, however the site had been fortified in wood since Saxon times. The castle is also referred to in historical documents as Alton, Alverton or Aulton. The 12th-century castle had a gatehouse added in the early 14th century, and was later substantially reconstructed during the
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Youth
Retreat Centre. Over 8,000 children visit the Castle each year, mainly with schools, but also from other children's organisations such as youth groups and charities who work with children with disabilities. Some of the children have suffered disadvantages, including disability, and many come
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in 1855 and the presbytery became their convent. The castle remained a private residence until 1919 when the
Sisters of Mercy bought it for £3,500 to extend their boarding school. The school closed in 1989 and the castle was left empty until 1996.
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from inner city areas of the West
Midlands. The children participate in a variety of activities during their stay including mountain biking, trekking, archery, rock-climbing and learning outdoor navigation and survival skills.
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It is unclear why the 16th Earl had the castle rebuilt. It may have been intended for the Earl's cousin and eventual successor, Bertram Talbot (17th Earl of
Shrewsbury); or it may have been intended as a
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for the Earl's wife, if he should predecease her. Towards the end of the castle's construction, the earl suggested the castle could be a home for priests, but Pugin was "vehemently against the idea".
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on the site. Most of the 12th-century ruins were demolished to make way for the new building which was designed to look like a medieval castle built by
English crusaders of the Knights of the
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220:, England. The site has been fortified in wood since Saxon times, with a stone castle dating from the 12th century. The current castle was constructed in the mid-19th century by
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Mark S. Hagger, The
Fortunes of a Norman Family: The de Verduns in England Ireland and Wales, 1066-1316. Dublin, 2001, pages 34-57.
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Michael Fisher, 'Gothic For Ever! - Pugin, Lord
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Michael Fisher, 'Hospital of St. John, and Alton Castle', A.W.N. Pugin Guides, Urban Vision, N. Staffs., 2012
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care for the poor for of the parish. The church was also used as a school for local poor children.
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15th century. It was subsequently damaged during the
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37:Dalton Castle, Cumbria
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604:Alton, Staffordshire
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109:Coordinates
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568:Categories
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118:52°58′47″N
255:Civil War
121:1°53′28″W
549:Archived
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389:(2011).
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317:See also
310:Catholic
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240:History
402:8 May
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308:as a
214:Alton
178:Built
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
