Castle Rushen : The Story of a Great Castle by Jackie Sloane
NEW July 2026
Written by local author Jackie Sloane, this 186-page book offers a deep dive into the 800-year history of Castle Rushen in Castletown, widely considered one of the best-preserved and most complete medieval castles in Europe. Drawing on her 16 years of experience as a custodian at the fortress and over a decade of dedicated research, the author blends sweeping political and military history with an intimate look at the social history of the everyday people who inhabited the castle.
Castle Rushen stands tall in the heart of Castletown, the ancient capital of the Isle of Man. The early foundation fortress being first constructed under Viking rule from as early as 1180, with a more established castle dating from the 14th century constructed by the Earls of Salisbury. Changing and developing over the many centuries, the castle remained under the control of the various rulers of Mann, including over three hundred years of the Stanley Kings and Lords rule of the Island. This is the story from the castle's first construction, to how over eight hundred years on, through Norse, Scots, English and Manx rule it remains one of the most complete medieval castles in Europe. Along with the history of the building, it is the story of the hundreds of people who were involved through its many centuries of use and what the everyday lives of these people and others of the time was like.
Hound House Books
Paperback 25c x 21 cm
186 Pages
Colour photographs