 Bamburgh Castle
Even today, looking sturdily embedded on a rocky outcrop, this impressive
castle surrounded by its curtain walls, dominates a coastal stretch
of Northumberland. History of the site goes back further than the Romans,
and many romantic legends have been associated with it. The present
castle began as a Saxon stronghold, and was later developed by the Normans
to become one of the most powerful castles of the North, playing an
important role in warding off numerous Scottish invasions.
Early records identify the castle as 'Bebbanburgh', the seat of the kings
of Bernicia, besieged twice by the Mercian King Penda. Even 1500 years
ago Bamburgh Castle remained impregnable against attack, and had it not been
for the capture of the Earl of Northumberland outside of the castle,
William the Conqueror may never have taken Bamburgh Caslte in 1095. It remained
Crown property until 1610, although it had been abandoned long before
that time. A battle in 1464 had reduced it to a ruinous state, and natural
decay followed with the resulting neglect.
During the 17th century Bamburgh Castle had deteriorated to such a degree that
only the huge, square keep of the Norman fortress remained standing.
This was restored and modified in the 18th century to use for charitable
causes, as well as to provide a school, and almshouses. Major restoration
work was carried out in the Victorian era, and this was followed in
the early 1900s with more substantial reconstruction work by Lord Armstrong,
the renowned arms manufacturer who lived close-by at Cragside.
Although it is still inhabited in part by Armstrong's descendants, and numerous
tenants living in the private flats, the rooms accessible to the public are quite magnificent.
The King's Hall is a remarkable piece of Victorian restoration that is
typically medieval in character, and really sets the scene for other
areas of the castle. In the Keep, the distinctive round-headed Norman arches
are still a prominent feature, as is the fabulous vaulting in the main
hall. Studying the thickness of the walls here, in some places a staggering
12ft (3.6m) across, it is hardly surprising that when all else was falling
into a ruinous state, this immensely strong keep managed to survive.
All rooms inside Bamburgh Castle portray a wealth of exhibits, artefacts
and architecture to compliment the imposing grandeur of the castle's
external façade.
Our very first view of this former northern base of the Royals, was from
Lindisfarne Priory when Bamburgh Castle,
with nothing else visible around it, appeared to have just sprung out of the depths of the North Sea and
stood defiantly commanding the tidal waves. Bamburgh Castle presents
a daunting sight in the 21st century, but 800 years ago it must have
been a harsh and menacing environment to stumble across. |
