Roger de Poitou built West Derby Castle as a timber motte-and-bailey structure surrounded by a moat in 1100.[2] The Castle was repaired between 1197 and 1202 and again in 1213 and then between 1218 and 1227.[3][4]
When the town of Liverpool was founded in 1207,[1] West Derby Castle began to decline in importance, and the garrison of 140 soldiers stationed at West Derby Castle was moved to Liverpool Castle in 1235.[3]
Upon the death of William de Ferrers in 1247, his son William inherited both Liverpool Castle and West Derby Castle. The heir to the title was Robert de Ferrers. He rebelled against King Henry III and was arrested and held in the Tower of London and then Windsor Castle. His lands and title were removed and taken back by the Crown. Henry III presented the land, along with Lancaster to his second son Edmund. Mary de Ferrers, wife of the forfeited earl and niece to the King, was ordered to surrender the castle in July 1266. The lands were then held by Edmund and passed onto his successor Thomas.[5]
It was under the administration of Thomas that West Derby Castle was abandoned in favour of Liverpool Castle in 1297, and it was reported to be in ruins in 1326 and 1327.[6][7] Around 1817 a Mr. Gascoigne, Lord of the Manor levelled the earthworks of West Derby Castle.[2][3][4]
