Editing Bolingbroke Castle (section)

==History==
The area was first fortified by the Saxons in the 6th or 7th century. In the 12th century the [[Norman people|Norman]]s built a [[Motte-and-bailey]] on a nearby hill above the settlement of Bolingbroke.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/BolingbrokeCastle/section.asp?catId=21791|title=Bolingbroke Castle - a brief history|access-date=29 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622105725/http://community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/BolingbrokeCastle/section.asp?catId=21791|archive-date=22 June 2009}}</ref>
The present structure was founded by [[Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester|Ranulf, Earl of Chester]], in 1220 shortly after he returned from the [[Fifth Crusade]].<ref name=PS1>{{cite PastScape|mnumber=354204|mname=Bolingbroke Castle|access-date=3 May 2013}}</ref>

Ranulf died in 1232 without a male heir, and his titles, lands and castles passed to his sisters. Following the death of [[Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster]] in 1361 Bolingbroke passed through marriage into the ownership of [[John of Gaunt]]. His wife [[Blanche of Lancaster]], daughter of Henry of Grosmont, was born at the castle in 1342. John and Blanche's son, [[Henry IV of England|Henry (the future Henry IV)]], was also born at Bolingbroke Castle in 1367 and consequently was known as "Henry Bolingbroke" before he became king in 1399.{{sfn|Brown|Summerson|2004}}<ref name=PS1/>

By the 15th and 16th century, the castle had fallen into disrepair although repairs were carried out during the [[Tudor period]]. The castle was used by auditors of the [[Duchy of Lancaster]]. Structures were named after the officials, including the "Receiver's Tower" and the "Feodary's Tower". Lead for the roof of the gatehouse was brought from an abandoned chapel at [[Trusthorpe]].<ref>[[Howard Colvin]], ''History of the King's Works'', 3:1 (London: HMSO, 1975), p. 235.</ref> In 1636 a survey found that all of the towers were effectively beyond repair.<ref name="history"/>

At the start of the [[First English Civil War]], Bolingbroke was again put to use as a military fortification garrisoned by [[Royalist|Royalist forces]]. In 1643 it was badly damaged in a siege during the [[Battle of Winceby]]. The following year, the castle was recaptured from the [[Roundheads|Parliamentarians]] but due to defeats elsewhere was relinquished again. In 1652 the castle was [[slighting|slighted]] to prevent any further use. The towers and walls were torn down and dumped into the moat.<ref name="history"/>

The last major structure collapsed in 1815.