Alnwick Castle

Perched majestically in the northeastern English county of Northumberland, the towering walls and turrets of Alnwick Castle have dominated the landscape for over 700 years. As an English history teacher, I find the dramatic history encapsulated within this great medieval fortress to be endlessly fascinating.

From clashes on the turbulent Anglo-Scottish border, to sieges, betrayals and power struggles that shook England, Alnwick Castle has watched over centuries of British history unfolding.

The Storied History of Alnwick Castle

First built shortly after the Norman invasion of England, Alnwick Castle has remained a formidable bastion against every major threat from the north. It withstood ferocious sieges during wars with Scotland, and was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded by the noble Percy family, Earls and later Dukes of Northumberland, who have called Alnwick home since the 12th century. The Percy lions still glare watchfully from the ramparts, hinting at the castle’s bloody past.

Yet there is much more to proud Alnwick Castle than feats of arms and military strength. Its lavish interiors were decadently remodelled in the Victorian era, while its atmospheric exteriors have been the backdrop to dramatic film and TV productions. From clashes with Scottish armies to hosting Harry Potter film crews, the remarkable layers of history here never cease to intrigue me as a teacher. Join me on an adventure through Alnwick Castle’s captivating history!

The Origins of Alnwick Castle

To understand Alnwick Castle’s stories, we must go back to its origins in the aftermath of 1066. The great Norman Conquest of England by William the Duke of Normandy was complete, and Northumberland was now under Norman rule.

The First Fortifications

In 1096, William granted control of lands around Alnwick to Ivo de Vesci, one of his loyal Norman knights. De Vesci promptly constructed a basic timber and earthwork fort on the site, intended to consolidate Norman power in the north. This rudimentary motte and bailey fort would have been a far cry from the stone-walled castle we see today!

Expansion by the de Vescis

Over the 12th and 13th centuries, successive generations of de Vescis expanded the fortress with thick curtain walls, defensive towers and formidable entrance gatehouses. As the turbulent Wars of Scottish Independence raged, these improvements transformed Alnwick into a veritable stone bastion, heaving with armed men ready to repel any Scotsmen bold enough to venture south. Even in its early medieval form, Alnwick Castle was clearly not to be trifled with!

A New Era for the Percys

In 1309, Alnwick passed by marriage to a new noble dynasty – the Percys, who would shape and expand the castle over the next five centuries. But more on the remarkable Percys later! Their lion still adorns the walls, reminding all of the great Percy family’s deep legacy here.

Wars, Sieges and Battles

As a stronghold near the ever-turbulent border with Scotland, Alnwick Castle was no stranger to conflict. The ring of clashing swords and cries of fighting men echo from its bloody past.

The Wars of Independence

In the early 14th century, Alnwick faced its biggest test yet – the savage Wars of Scottish Independence. Robert the Bruce and his forces repeatedly besieged the castle, only to be thwarted by its doughty defences and the ferocity of the English garrison.

After weeks of bombardment failed to puncture its walls in 1318, the Scots tried stealth and subterfuge, attempting to scale the walls covertly under cover of night. But the guards raised the alarm and fierce hand-to-hand fighting in the courtyard repelled the infiltrators. Alnwick had proved it could withstand any Scottish assault!

The Battle of Alnwick – A Norman Victory

Long before the Wars of Independence, Alnwick witnessed crucial clashes that shaped Norman England. Nearby in 1093, a Norman army led by King Malcolm III of Scotland met the forces of Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland. In a fierce battle, Malcolm was slain, dealing a blow to Scottish hopes of expelling the Normans.

The nest of Alnwick Castle brooded over this key triumph, securing a legacy that endures to modern times. Alnwick was clearly a place destiny had chosen for great events!

A Percy Family Home

While battles raged outside, inside Alnwick Castle’s walls the noble Percy family made it their home for centuries. Their fascinating story is deeply intertwined with this castle’s stones.

The Noble Percys

Since 1309, when Sir Henry de Percy married the de Vesci heiress, Alnwick has belonged to the Percy family. Under the Percys, it grew into the majestic castle we admire today.

They transformed Alnwick into a palatial medieval home befitting their role as Earls and later Dukes of Northumberland. Despite periods of exile when they fell from royal favour, the persevering Percys always reclaimed their ancestral seat.

Remodelling Through the Centuries

Over 700 years of Percy occupation, the architecture of Alnwick Castle evolved with their changing fortunes. Luxurious new lodgings were added in the 14th century as the Percys grew powerful under King Edward III.

But later Wars of the Roses struggles saw parts of the castle damaged and neglected. The Percy lion statues date from lavish 16th century rebuilding programmes by the 7th Earl.

The greatest transformation came in the mid-1800s, when the romantic Victorians swept away the medieval interiors. An extravagant Italianate makeover created the sumptuous state rooms we enjoy on tours today.

Yet the rugged exterior remains gloriously medieval, still watchfully guarding the borderlands after so many centuries of Percy history.

How to find Alnwick Castle

Map to Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle, Pottergate, Alnwick, Northumberland, North of Tyne, England, NE66 1NQ, United Kingdom

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