Norman Castle started by Hugh d’Avranches.

William the Conqueror gave Tutbury to Henry, Lord of Ferriers and Chambrais, whose family became known in England as Ferrers. Castle consisted only of wooden and earth defences.

Tutbury mentioned in Domesday survey as forming defence for a local township of around 200 people.

Henry Ferrers’ third son, Robert, created Earl of Derby.

William Ferrers, third Earl, joined with the sons of Henry II in conspiracy against the King. July Tutbury besieged and taken by the King.

Henry II appears to have ordered the destruction of the Castle.

William Ferrers? replaced wooden building with stone built Keep or Donjon. Also Chapel built at this time.

Thomas, Earl of Lancaster built the gateway and spent £100 on a gatehouse above it.

Prince Edward (the future King Edward I) severely damaged the Castle.

Earl Robert joined Barons’ Rebellion against Henry III and lost possession of Tutbury Castle to Prince Edmund, younger son of the King.

Edmund became Earl of Lancaster and began restoration of Tutbury Castle. Either he or his son, Thomas, erected larger hall and range of buildings at the south end.

10th March. Edward occupied the Castle for a few days and there was much looting.

Edward II returns Tutbury to Thomas’s brother, Henry of Lancaster. At this time there also existed The Great Hall, the Great Chamber at its end, a hall near the well, the Steward’s Chamber, the Constable’s Chamber, the Receiver’s Lodging, the old and the new stables, a grange, larder, charcoal house etc. There was also a high tower (long since demolished) where the woodwork caught fire.

Earl Thomas’s nephew, Henry, created first Duke of Lancaster.

Castle owned by John of Gaunt, second Duke of Lancaster who was permitted by the King to repair it.

Work began on a new portion of wall, probably the northern end of the curtain wall.

Henry Bolingbroke, third Duke of Lancaster acceded to the throne as Henry IV. (The Castle has been owned by the Crown in the right of The Duchy of Lancaster ever since)

A new tower and wall in course of erection, possibly on west side of Castle. Location uncertain.

Building of south curtain wall started from motte end.

Work began on building the present South Tower.

2 fireplaces had been brought in and the tower was probably completed shortly afterwards (not later than 1449).

Tutbury given temporarily to Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI as part of her jointure.

A new tower under construction (the present North Tower). Completed by 1460.

Kitchen roof fell down.

Many buildings had defective roofs and part of the curtain wall had a 100ft (30.5m) split.

Instructions given for repairs to ring wall, “Gillot” Tower or Donjon and record office.

Mary Queen of Scots fled to England .  Elizabeth I commenced preparation of Tutbury as a prison for the Scottish Queen.

4th February Queen Mary arrived at Tutbury and was lodged in the South Range.

Mary was taken to Wingfield to avoid suspected rescue attempts. In November she was moved again to Coventry.

2nd January she returned to Tutbury.

In the summer Mary moved to Wingfield again and later to Chatsworth. She made several brief visits later to Tutbury Castle.

14th January - 21st December Mary’s last visit to Tutbury.

8th February Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded.

Survey found the Castle badly dilapidated.

Repairs to badly cracked North Tower estimated at £200 they were never carried out.

Repairs estimated at £1,000.

James I (son of Queen Mary) visited Tutbury Castle.

Mediaeval range at south end replaced.

Unsuccessful siege by Parliamentarians during Civil War.

Charles I at Tutbury with a large force.

A 3-week siege ended with the Castle’s surrender on 20th April on condition that the Castle’s defences be destroyed.

Parliament ordered the destruction of the Castle. The destruction not completed.

Following the Restoration, some rooms repaired.

Duchy rejects proposal to convert Castle to a prison.

Nearly £250 spent by the Duchy of Lancaster on repairs.

A system of admission tickets was introduced for visitors.