The castle was destroyed by Prince Edward in 1264 after the rebellion of Robert de Ferrers, 6th Earl of Derby. In 1269, after a further rebellion the lands were given to Edmund Crouchback and have remained part of the Duchy of Lancaster. Apart from the 12th century chapel the ruins date from the 14th and 15th centuries when the castle was rebuilt. In 1999 Lesley Smith became the Curator of the Castle. The Duchy of Lancaster granted her this position for which Smith works as Public Relations Officer.