Longbow murder feud skewers ‘Downton Shabby’ revamp
IT IS a majestic castle which would not look out of place as the centrepiece of any glossy TV period drama.
However, when an American actor took on the dilapidated Hopwood Hall – nicknamed “Downton Shabby” – as a DIY project, little did he know that he would uncover a centuries-old feud triggered by a grizzly longbow murder.
Hopwood DePree’s ancestors used to live at the 15th century grade II listed building on the outskirts of Manchester, but it has stood derelict since the 1920s.
DePree hopes to restore the castle to its former beauty, and intends to make it a country retreat, hotel and community hub. But as he delved into the historic building’s past, he discovered that his ancestors had been responsible for killing one of their neighbours.
In the 1500s, Ralph Hopwood (DePree’s 20 generations distant ancestor) drew his longbow and shot an arrow at a neighbour after he trespassed onto Hopwood land. The arrow pierced the intruder through the chest. He later died in his wife’s arms.
DePree discusses the medieval murder in depth in his book Downton Shabby: One American’s Ultimate DIY Adventure Restoring His Family’s English Castle.
DePree moved to the UK from California to begin the renovation after stumbling upon the building while exploring an ancestry website, and felt compelled to reconnect with his past.