Gleaston Castle was originally a mid 12th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Michael le Fleming. In 1297 John de Harrington, founded the stone castle when encasing the bailey with a square curtain wall, flanked on the angles by towers. In the 14th century, the de Harrington family extended the bailey wall and founded a rectangular keep and courtyard fortress. A buttress in the curtain wall, now marks the position of the north-western flanking tower of the original bailey. Three towers survive, one being the complex three storey keep of 1340, which stands on the site of the motte. In 1458, the castle which was never completed, was dismantled and then abandoned in the late 15th century. 2 miles south-east is Moat Hill and 4 miles north-west is Dalton Castle.