Sudeley Castle was originally a stone fortified manor house, founded by King Ethelred II, the Unready. In the 12th century, John de Sudeley founded the stone castle, which was slighted during the civil war in the reign of King Stephen. In the 15th century, Ralph Boteler, Baron Sudeley, reconstructed the castle, building a large quadrangular fortress, with an inner court flanked on the angles by square towers. Sadly this court, which contains Richard, duke of Gloucester's impressive range of lodgings was once again slighted after the Civil War. The outer court with the 15th century outer gatehouse, is an Elizabethan rebuild and is set at a slight angle to the inner court.