Tudor

The Ferrers' Family - 15th century to the 17th century.
A wealthy and important noble family with extensive lands in the Midlands, they held the Castle for nearly 300 years from 1423 – 1681. They were responsible for transforming the Castle from a fortress to a grand Tudor home, designed to impress and emphasise their wealth. Thomas Ferrer first built the timber tie-beamed great hall in approximately 1437.

During the Elizabethan period Lord Humphrey II (1576 – 1607) made huge changes to the castle, re-modelling and in some instances removing existing medieval structures. His overarching aim was to build a home that accurately reflected his high status in society. 

The work Humphrey Ferrers commissioned included: 

• Altering the external wall on the north side of the castle by installing bay windows into first floor dining room, Day Parlour and ante-chamber.  
• Enlargement of the garrets floor on the 2nd storey on the north range, made of brick.
• Built NE stair turret. An inner staircase lobby linked the hall to the first floor reception rooms.
• Tower staircase from 1st floor to second floor: A staircase running from the Lady's Chamber up to the Guard Room. A cupboard now conceals the alcove where the spiral staircase was once located leading to the 2nd floor Guard room.
• Construction of the Elizabethan wing on the south side of the castle: a 3 storeys high with ogee shaped gables at south front.
• Storeyed Porch. The porch has a Loggia. The Ferrers room canted bay window is similar to the former windows on the front of the south range.

In the early seventeenth century the Ferrers' family were rewarded for their loyal service to the crown with three visits by King James I in 1619, 1621 and 1624. The new Tudor buildings comfortably accommodated a royal retinue in privacy and grandeur. 

During the English civil war the Ferrers fled the castle for the relative safety of their home in Walton on Trent. After the war the Ferrers' family resumed ownership of the Castle for the duration of John Ferrers IV lifetime. On his death in 1680 the castle passed through his deceased son to his granddaughter, Ann Ferrers.