Morpeth Castle
Encyclopedia
Morpeth Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building at Morpeth
, Northumberland
, in northeast England
.
dating from the 11th century was built on a hill overlooking the River Wansbeck
and destroyed by King John in 1216. A new castle
was built in the bailey of the original in the 1340s, but little of that structure survives apart from parts of the curtain wall and the much-altered gatehouse. In 1516 Margaret, sister of Henry VIII and widow of James IV of Scotland, stayed for four months in Morpeth Castle as she fled from her enemies in Scotland and sought refuge with her brother. The one great military event in the castle’s history was in 1644 when a garrison of 500 Lowland Scots held it for Parliament for 20 days against 2,700 Royalists.
The castle was held by and passed by the female line through several illustrious families; de Merlay, Greystoke
, Dacre
and Howard
, none of whom resided there for any long period. In about 1858, the gatehouse was restored and converted to provide a staff residence.
, which carried out refurbishments to the property in order to offer the gatehouse to let as holiday accommodation.
Morpeth, Northumberland
Morpeth is the county town of Northumberland, England. It is situated on the River Wansbeck which flows east through the town. The town is from the A1, which bypasses it. Since 1981, it has been the administrative centre of the County of Northumberland. In the 2001 census the town had a population...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, in northeast England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
History
The original motte and baileyMotte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
dating from the 11th century was built on a hill overlooking the River Wansbeck
River Wansbeck
The River Wansbeck runs through the county of Northumberland, England. It rises above Sweethope Lough on the edge of Forelaws Forest in the area known locally as The Wanneys ; runs through the town of Ashington before discharging into the North Sea at Sandy Bay near Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.The River...
and destroyed by King John in 1216. A new castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
was built in the bailey of the original in the 1340s, but little of that structure survives apart from parts of the curtain wall and the much-altered gatehouse. In 1516 Margaret, sister of Henry VIII and widow of James IV of Scotland, stayed for four months in Morpeth Castle as she fled from her enemies in Scotland and sought refuge with her brother. The one great military event in the castle’s history was in 1644 when a garrison of 500 Lowland Scots held it for Parliament for 20 days against 2,700 Royalists.
The castle was held by and passed by the female line through several illustrious families; de Merlay, Greystoke
Greystoke, Cumbria
Greystoke is a village and civil parish on the edge of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, about west of Penrith. The village centres on a green surrounded by stone houses and cottages.-Buildings:...
, Dacre
Baron Dacre
Baron Dacre is a title that has been created three times in the Peerage of England, every time by writ. The first creation came in 1321 when Ralph Dacre was summoned to Parliament as Lord Dacre. He married Margaret, 2nd Baroness Multon of Gilsland, heiress of a large estate in Cumbria centred on...
and Howard
Earl of Carlisle
Earl of Carlisle is a title that has been created three times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1322 when the soldier Andrew Harclay, 1st Baron Harclay was made Earl of Carlisle. He had already been summoned to Parliament as Lord Harclay in 1321...
, none of whom resided there for any long period. In about 1858, the gatehouse was restored and converted to provide a staff residence.
Lordship of the Manor
The Lordship of the Manor of Morpeth Castle was re-created separately at some point. The current Lord of the Manor of Morpeth Castle, Camilo Agasim-Pereira of Fulwood & Dirleton, Baron of Fulwood & Dirleton, became the Lord of the Manor in 1999. It is unlikely that he would have inherited the lordship, but that would not prevent the separation of the ownership of the lordship from the castle proper being the subject of a perfectly legal conveyance.Recent history
In 1946, the castle was acquired by the Borough of Morpeth, but stood empty and neglected till 1960. At this time it was rented by builder Billy Bell, who refurbished it: building on a kitchen and swimming pool. He also looked after the gardens and for a period it was used as a family home for his large family. The next occupiers (the trust) returned the property to its former style, losing the kitchen and pool. It lost its family-home style and became just another rented property for weekenders when in 1988, it was sold to the Landmark TrustLandmark Trust
The Landmark Trust is a British building conservation charity, founded in 1965 by Sir John and Lady Smith, that rescues buildings of historic interest or architectural merit and then gives them a new life by making them available for holiday rental...
, which carried out refurbishments to the property in order to offer the gatehouse to let as holiday accommodation.