The Castle, Barnard Castle (Barnard Castle)

View of the Inner Bailey late 18th century

Barnard Castle © DCC 2007

The Castle, Barnard Castle © DCC 2002

The Castle, © DCC 2002

The Castle, Barnard Castle © DCC 2003

The Castle © DCC 2004

A multi-phase castle, probably originally built as a ringwork by Guy de Balliol circa 1095, later fortified as a shell keep castle between about 1130-1200. It stands on a cliff above the River Tees. It has four courtyards surrounded by a wall and ditch. The form of the 12th century castle was with the Inner Ward in the north-west corner of the site above the River Tees, with a Middle Ward to the south of this and the Town Ward courtyard to the east of these two; further south adjacent to the Middle and Town Wards was the Outer Ward. Further construction occurred between about 1329-1380. From about 1230 to 1329 it saw a flourishing period as a great household of the Balliols, a family with high dynastic aspirations and political influence in both northern England and Scotland, particularly under both John Balliol the Elder and the Younger. Later it was a castle of the earls of Warwick (the Beauchcamps) and a Royal Castle. It was in disrepair through the 15th and 16th centuries, partly as a matter of official royal policy for ruling the north: it was then partly dismantled in the 17th century. In the Inner Ward the Great Hall and Great Chamber survive well, and the ruins of the Bakehouse and the Guardhouse can also be seen. The castle is in the care of English Heritage. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.

Reference number:

D1970

Historical period:

Elizabethan (1558 to 1603)
Stuart (1603 to 1714)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
21st Century (2001 to 2100)

Legal status:

Listed Building
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1218822
Scheduled Monument
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1007505

Event(s):

Evaluation at the rear of 22 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle 2008; Brigantia Archaeological Practice
Evaluation at Kings Head, Barnard Castle 1999; Archaeological Services University of Durham
Watching brief for Castle Access Road, Barnard Castle, 2005; Northern Archaeological Associates
Watching brief at Barnard Castle 2006; Northern Archaeological Associates
Heritage assessment and wall survey of Barnard Castle outer ward wall, 2013 - 2014; Northern Archaeological Associates Ltd
RCHME: Durham SAMs Project 1991; Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
Archaeological works at the Outer Ward, Barnard Castle, County Durham 2014; Northern Archaeological Associates Ltd
Geophysical survey on the presumed site of St Margaret's Chapel, Barnard Castle 1992; GeoQuest Associates
Excavations at No1 Gray Lane, Barnard Castle, 1978; The Bowes Museum
Excavations at Barnard Castle 1974 - 1981; Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments
BARNARD CASTLE
BARNARD CASTLE
EAST CURTAIN OF TOWN WARD, BARNARD CASTLE; GeoQuest Associates
KING'S HEAD, HORSEMARKET; University of Durham Archaeological Services
BARNARD CASTLE

Disclaimer -

Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.

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