Cockermouth Castle was originally a 12th century earth and timber ringwork and bailey fortress, founded by Gilbert de Pipard. In the early 13th century, William de Fortibus founded the stone castle, when enclosing the triangular ringwork, with a curtain wall. Flanking the wall, is the square Kitchen Tower, the semicircular West Tower, the inner gatehouse and the 15th century Bell Tower. The square outer bailey is encased by a 14th century curtain wall, which is flanked to the fore, by the Flagstaff Tower and the three storey outer gatehouse. Successor to Tute Hill, the castle was ruinous by the 16th century, unsuccessfully besieged by Royalists in the Civil War and then partly rebuilt in the 19th century. 6 miles south-west is Branthwaite Hall.