[3] The date of the castle's construction has been the subject of some debate, with writers in the 19th century believing it to predate the Conquest, however there is no evidence of this.

[7] Roger de Mowbray lost favour with the king (Henry II of England), and rebelled against him in the Great Revolt.

[10] Roger de Mowbray left to Crusade in the Holy Land, dying after being taken prisoner after the Battle of Hattin.

[3][11] The castle was said to have covered 4 acres (1.6 ha), being quite prominent on the skyline in Thirsk, and commanding the road north from York.

[2] The de Mowbray family still owned the land, and a manor house that was built upon the site was supposedly destroyed in a Scots raid in 1322.