House & Family History: Ruthin Castle, also known as Red Fort, dates from circa 1277 and sits protected by a walled dry moat. Until 1632, when it was sold by Charles I, the Castle was part the Crown Estate. Daisy, Princess of Pless, was born here as Mary-Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West (1873-1943). Mary-Theresa was the daughter of Col. William Cornwallis-West (1835-1917) and his wife Mary, née FitzPatrick (1856-1920) and was a noted Edwardian society beauty. On December 8, 1891, in London, Daisy married Hans Heinrich XV, Prince of Pless, Count of Hochberg, and Baron of Fürstenstein (1861-1938), one of the wealthiest men in the German Empire. Daisy is most noted today for her series of books, published in the early and mid-20th century to great acclaim and controversy: "Princess Daisy of Pless by Herself" (1929), "Better Left Unsaid" (1931), "What I Left Unsaid" (1936), "The Private Diaries of Princess Daisy of Pless, 1813-1974" (1950).

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, p. 82, 1852.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Sir Richard Myddelton, 17th century. William Cornwallis-West, late 19th-early 20th centuries.

Current Ownership Type: Corporation

Primary Current Ownership Use: Hotel

Ownership Details: Today Ruthin Castle Hotel

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01824-702-664

Fax: 01824-705-978

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.ruthincastle.co.uk

Historic Houses Member: No