in the 15th century, york castle, along with nottingham castle, was considered a key security asset in the north of england, but investment even in these castles diminished. repairs to york castle grew infrequent from 1400 onwards, and it fell into increasing disrepair. richard iii recognised the issue and in 1483 had some of the most decrepit structures removed, but he died at the battle of bosworth before replacement work could commence. by the reign of henry viii, the antiquary john leland reported that the castle was in considerable disrepair; nonetheless the water defences remained intact, unlike those of many other castles of the period. as a result of the deterioration, henry had to be advised that the king's councillors no longer had any official residence in which to stay and work when they were in york. the castle mint was shut down after the death of edward vi in 1553, and the castle mills were given to a local charitable hospital in 1464. the hospital was then closed during the reformation, and the mills passed into private ownership once again.