Taking the name ‘le Zouch’ from Bretons who were lords of the manor of Aschebie after the Norman Conquest, the present castle was built as a seat of power for William, Lord Hastings, during the 1470s. As a close confidant of Edward IV he was one of the most powerful men in England. Unfortunately, he was summarily executed by the future Richard III before the castle was complete, although it remained in the Hastings family. 

During the English Civil War it was used as a Royalist stronghold. After their defeat it was heavily slighted in 1646. The ruins became a famous Regency period tourist attraction after featuring in the Sir Walter Scott novel, Ivanhoe.