A Royalist stronghold for three years during the Great Civil War it was able to observe the war unfolding and to make a valuable contribution as a safe haven for the King`s forces and messengers until Parliament`s victory in June 1645 at Naseby freed up its forces to clear up remaining Royalist bases in the north - Skipton Castle being the last to fall with Colonel Mallory securing an honourable surrender on 21 December 1645 after which the Castle was slighted to deter any further fighting. | 
