Bamburgh Castle

Medieval castle in Northumberland, England

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh, Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle from the southwest

Bamburgh Castle

Coordinates| 55°36′29″N 1°42′32″W﻿ / ﻿55.608°N 1.709°W﻿ / 55.608; -1.709
Site information
Owner| Armstrong family
Open to
the public| Yes

Listed Building – Grade I

Designated| 4 January 1952
Reference no.| 1280155[1]
Site history
Built| 11th century

Bamburgh Castle, on the northeast coast of England, by the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland, is a Grade I listed building.[2]

The site was originally the location of a Celtic Brittonic fort known as Din Guarie and may have been the capital of the kingdom of Bernicia from its foundation c. 420 to 547. In that last year, it was captured by King Ida of Bernicia. After passing between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590. The Normans later built a new castle on the site, which forms the core of the present one. After a revolt in 1095 supported by the castle's owner, it became the property of the English monarch.

In the 17th century, financial difficulties led to the castle deteriorating, but it was restored by various owners during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was finally bought by the Victorian era industrialist William Armstrong, who completed its restoration. The castle still belongs to the Armstrong family and is open to the public.

## History

[edit]

The southwestern face of Bamburgh Castle, seen from ground level (top) and from above (bottom)

### Medieval history

[edit]

Built on top of a black crag of volcanic dolerite, and part of the Whin Sill, the location was previously home to a fort of the indigenous Celtic Britons known as Din Guarie.[3] It may have been the capital of the kingdom of Bernicia, the realm of the Gododdin people,[4] from the realm's foundation c. 420 until 547, the year of the first written reference to the castle. In that year the citadel was captured by the Anglo-Saxon ruler Ida of Bernicia (Beornice) and became Ida's seat.[5]

The castle was briefly retaken by the Britons from his son Hussa during the war of 590 before being retaken later the same year.[6] Circa 600, Hussa's successor Æthelfrith passed it on to his wife Bebba, from whom the early name Bebbanburh was derived.[7]

Aerial photograph from 1973 showing the position of the castle, northeast of Bamburgh village

The Normans built a new castle on the site, which forms the core of the present one. William II unsuccessfully besieged it in 1095 during a revolt supported by its owner, Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumbria. After Robert was captured, his wife continued the defence until coerced to surrender by the king's threat to blind her husband.[8]

Bamburgh then became the property of the reigning English monarch. Henry II probably built the keep as it was complete by 1164.[9] Following the Siege of Acre in 1191, and as a reward for his service, King Richard I appointed Sir John Forster the first Governor of Bamburgh Castle. Following the defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, King David II was held prisoner at Bamburgh Castle.[8]

During the civil wars at the end of King John's reign, the castle was under the control of Philip of Oldcoates.[10] In 1464 during the Wars of the Roses, it was subject to a nine-month siege by Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, the "Kingmaker", on behalf of the Yorkists which was marked by the extensive use of artillery.[11]

### Modern history

[edit]

The State Rooms of Bamburgh Castle; in top-centre of middle image, The Card Players, by Theodoor Rombouts, c. 1630

The Forster family of Northumberland continued to provide the Crown with successive governors of the castle until the Crown granted ownership (or a lease according to some sources) of the church and the castle to another Sir John Forster in the mid-1500s, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.[12][13] The family retained ownership until Sir William Forster (d. 1700) was posthumously declared bankrupt, and his estates, including the castle, were sold to Lord Crew, Bishop of Durham (husband of Sir William's sister Dorothy) under an Act of Parliament to settle the debts in 1704.[9]

Crewe placed the castle in the hands of a board of trustees chaired by Thomas Sharp, the Archdeacon of Northumberland. Following the death of Thomas Sharp, leadership of the board of trustees passed to John Sharp (Thomas Sharp's son) who refurbished the castle keep and court rooms[14] and established a hospital on the site.[15] In 1894, the castle was bought by the Victorian industrialist William Armstrong, who completed the restoration.[16]

During the Second World War, pillboxes were established in the sand dunes to protect the castle and surrounding area from German invasion[17] and, in 1944, a Royal Navy corvette was named HMS Bamborough Castle after the castle.[18] The castle still remains in the ownership of the Armstrong family.[16]

After the War, the castle became a Grade I Listed property. The description included this comment about the status of the building in 1952 and its history:[19]

> Castle, divided into apartments. C12; ruinous when acquired by Lord Crewe in 1704 and made habitable after his death by Dr. Sharpe ... Acquired by Lord Armstrong, who had extensive restoration and rebuilding of high quality by C.J. Ferguson, 1894-1904. Squared sandstone and ashlar.

### Location

[edit]

An 1825 plan of the castle

About 9 miles (14 km) to the south on a point of coastal land is the ancient fortress of Dunstanburgh Castle and about 5 miles (8 km) to the north is Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island. Inland about 16 miles (26 km) to the south is Alnwick Castle, the home of the Duke of Northumberland.[20]

### Environmental factors

[edit]

Air quality levels at Bamburgh Castle are excellent due to the absence of industrial sources in the region. Sound levels near the north–south road passing by Bamburgh Castle are in the range of 59 to 63 dBA in the daytime (Northumberland Sound Mapping Study, Northumberland, England, June 2003). Nearby are breeding colonies of Arctic and common terns on the inner Farne Islands, and of Atlantic puffin, European shag and razorbill on Staple Island.[21]

### Archaeology at Bamburgh

[edit]

Archaeological excavations were started in the 1960s by Brian Hope-Taylor, who discovered the gold plaque known as the Bamburgh Beast as well as the Bamburgh Sword.[22] Since 1996, the Bamburgh Research Project has been investigating the archaeology and history of the Castle and Bamburgh area. The project has concentrated on the fortress site and the early medieval burial ground at the Bowl Hole, located in sand dunes to the south of the castle, evidence of which had first been revealed in a storm of 1817.[23][24]

During excavations at the Bowl Hole between 1998 and 2007, the remains of 120 individuals from the 7th and 8th century were discovered in that graveyard.[24] The research project was led by Professor Charlotte Roberts of Durham University, and found remains of individuals who had originated from Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean and North Africa.[24]

Finally, in 2016, they were moved into the crypt of St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh; the crypt can be viewed by visitors through a small gate.[25]

### Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum

[edit]

The castle's laundry rooms feature the Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum, with exhibits about Victorian industrialist William Armstrong and Armstrong Whitworth, the manufacturing company he founded. Displays include engines, artillery and weaponry, and aviation artefacts from two world wars.[26]

## Civil parish

[edit]

Bamburgh Castle was a civil parish, in 1951 the parish had a population of 18.[27] Bamburgh Castle was formerly a township in Bambrough parish,[28] from 1866 Bamburgh Castle was a civil parish in its own right until it was abolished on 1 April 1955 and merged with Bamburgh.[29]

## In popular culture

[edit]

"Bamborough Castle from the Northeast, with Holy Island in the Distance, Northumberland" by John Varley (1827; Metropolitan Museum of Art).

### Selected literary appearances

[edit]

The castle features in the ballad The Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh written in circa 1270.[30] Late medieval British author Thomas Malory identified Bamburgh Castle with Joyous Gard, the mythical castle home of Sir Launcelot in Arthurian legend.[31]

In literature, Bamburgh, under its Saxon name Bebbanburg, is the home of Uhtred Uhtredson, the main character in Bernard Cornwell's The Saxon Stories. It features either as a significant location or as the inspiration for the protagonist in all books in the series, starting with The Last Kingdom, and the sequels The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song, The Burning Land, Death of Kings, The Pagan Lord, The Empty Throne, Warriors of the Storm, The Flame Bearer, War of the Wolf, Sword of Kings and War Lord.[32]

The castle and also the village provide the setting for the crime novel Bamburgh written by LJ Ross.[33]

### Selected film and television appearances

[edit]

In addition to appearances as itself, Bamburgh Castle has been used as a filming location for a number of television and film projects:

* 1927: Huntingtower[34]
* 1949: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court[35]
* 1964: Becket[36]
* 1971: The Devils[37]
* 1971: Macbeth[38]
* 1971: Mary, Queen of Scots[39]
* 1982: Ivanhoe[40]
* 1984–86: Robin of Sherwood[41]
* 1998: Elizabeth[40]
* 2011: Channel 4's Time Team dig at Bamburgh Castle[42]
* 2015: Macbeth (film)[43]
* 2018: The Last Kingdom (TV series)[44]
* 2023: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny [45]

The castle has been known for its ghost stories and alleged paranormal experiences had by both staff and visitors alike. So much so, the castle brought in the paranormal investigation show Most Haunted who came to investigate the castle for their eighth series on what was Living TV in September 2006.[46]

### Videogames

[edit]

Bamburgh Castle and village appeared in 2018 racing game Forza Horizon 4.[47]

## Gallery

[edit]

*   *   *   *

## See also

[edit]

* Cragside

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1280155)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
2. ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1280155)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
3. ^ "Bernaccia (Bryneich / Berneich)". The History Files. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
4. ^ 'An English empire: Bede and the early Anglo-Saxon kings' by N. J. Higham, Manchester University Press ND, 1995, ISBN 0-7190-4423-5, ISBN 978-0-7190-4423-6
5. ^ The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, entry for 547.
6. ^ Hope-Taylor, pp. 292-293
7. ^ Nennius. "Historia Brittonum, 8th century". Retrieved 17 June 2018.
8. ^ a b "Bamburgh Castle". Castles, forts and battles. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
9. ^ a b "Bamburgh Castle". Historic England. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
10. ^ Todd, John M. (2004). "Oldcoates, Sir Philip of (d. 1220)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/27983. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
11. ^ Rickard, J (2013). "Siege of Bamburgh Castle, June-July 1464". History of War. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
12. ^ Skulldugerous John Forster
13. ^ "St Aidan Bamburgh History and Heritage". Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
14. ^ "The Bamburgh Charities". Lord Crewe's Charities. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
15. ^ "The Hidden Hospital: Bamburgh Castle Infirmary and Dispensary". History Today. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
16. ^ a b "Bamburgh Castle". William Armstrong. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
17. ^ "Tidal surge uncovers wartime structure at Bamburgh beach". Evening Chronicle. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
18. ^ "HMS Bamburgh Castle". Naval History. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
19. ^ BAMBURGH CASTLE
20. ^ Historic England. "Alnwick Castle (1371308)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
21. ^ "Staple Island". Farne Islands. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
22. ^ "Rare sword had 7th Century bling". BBC News. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
23. ^ "Welcome". Bamburgh Research Project. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
24. ^ a b c Henderson, Tony (19 May 2022). "Bamburgh Bones project casts a light on village's rich history". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
25. ^ "Bamburgh crypt project celebrates area's heritage". Church Times. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
26. ^ "Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum". Bamburgh Castle. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
27. ^ "Population statistics Bamburgh Castle Tn/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
28. ^ "History of Bamburgh, in Berwick upon Tweed and Northumberland". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
29. ^ "Relationships and changes Bamburgh Castle Tn/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
30. ^ Westwood, Jennifer. "BBC Radio 4 Land Lines - Bamburgh". www.englandinparticular. BBC. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
31. ^ Black, Joseph (2016). The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: Concise Volume A - Third Edition. Broadview. p. 536\. ISBN 978-1554813124.
32. ^ "Cornwell's incredible link with Bamburgh". The Journal. 4 October 2005. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
33. ^ "LJ Ross's website". Retrieved 15 January 2023.
34. ^ "Filming & photoshoots". Bamburgh Castle. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
35. ^ "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court". Times Higher Education. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
36. ^ "Becket at Bamburgh (1963)". Yorkshire Film Archive. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
37. ^ "The Devils". Movie Locations. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
38. ^ "Macbeth". Movie Locations. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
39. ^ "Mary Queen of Scots". Movie Locations. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
40. ^ a b "A castle fit for a celluloid Queen". The Independent. 25 October 1998. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
41. ^ "Newcastle's Castle Keep to pay tribute to 1980s Robin of Sherwood TV series". The Chronicle. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
42. ^ Kirton, Joanne; Young, Graeme (2017). "Excavations at Bamburgh: New Revelations in Light of Recent Investigations at the Core of the Castle Complex". Archaeological Journal. 174: 146–210. doi:10.1080/00665983.2016.1229941. S2CID 132920199.
43. ^ "Hollywood stars filming Macbeth at Bamburgh Castle". The Journal. 27 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
44. ^ "Filming & photoshoots". Bamburgh Castle. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
45. ^ "Indiana Jones to shoot at 'Britain's most haunted castle'". MSN.
46. ^ "Bamburgh Castle". IMDB. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
47. ^ Meechan, Simon (21 September 2018). "Watch this gamer race through Bamburgh Castle on Forza Horizon 4". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 4 May 2024.

## Sources

[edit]

* Hope-Taylor, Brian (1977). Yeavering: an Anglo-British centre of early Northumbria. Stationery Office Books. ISBN 978-0116705525.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Dodds, Glen Lyndon (1999). Historic Sites of Northumberland & Newcastle upon Tyne. Albion Press. pp. 33–39. ISBN 978-0952512219.
* Fry, Plantagenet Somerset (1980). The David & Charles Book of Castles. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. pp. 182–183. ISBN 978-0-7153-7976-9.
* Young, Graeme (2003). Bamburgh Castle: The Archaeology of the Fortress of Bamburgh AD 500 to AD 1500. Bamburgh Research Project. ISBN 978-0954648008.

## External links

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