K is for...

Knaresborough Castle.

Nice "large"

King Henry II is said to have cried, in his frustration at Tomas Becket, "Will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest."

This cry was answered by three knights led by Hugh de Morville ,who duly spiked the offending cleric on their swords in his cathedral at Canterbury and high-tailed it north.

They fled to Knaresborough Castle where they were granted sanctuary, and remained there for about a year. Eventually they emerged and begged forgiveness from the Pope. He absolved them on condition that they join the Crusades in the Holy Land for 14 years (I believe). I can find no record of their return...

The Castle is pretty much a ruin now, with just this Keep still standing along with some parts of the outer walls, but it is imposing as it stands above the River Nidd.

It gazes down upon the viaduct that the mediaeval witch Old Mother Shipton forecast will signal the end of the world when it falls for the third time.

It's been down twice.

Beware 22/12/2012!