Chartley Castle is a large and impressive 13th century stone motte and bailey fortress, founded by Ranulph Blundeville, earl of Chester. Supported by the motte are the remains of a rare cylindrical keep, with the inner bailey curtain wall still strongly flanked by two huge half-round towers, a twin-towered gatehouse and an angle tower. A strong counterscarp bank and cross-ditch divides the inner and outer baileys, with another ditch and bank encasing the whole castle. 9 miles south-west is Stafford Castle and 13 miles north-east is Alton Castle.