Bamburgh Castle

The Early Days

The very site of Bamburgh Castle whispers of mystery. Some scholars believe it was originally home to a fort of the native Britons, long before the thunder of Anglo-Saxon invaders stormed England’s shores. We do know for certain that in 547 AD, an Anglo-Saxon warlord named Ida seized the outcrop and built a wooden fortress, founding the kingdom of Bernicia. In those tumultuous times, controlling coastal areas was crucial for the invading Anglo-Saxons. Over the next centuries, Bamburgh Castle stood firm against squabbling warring kingdoms and raids from the Vikings.

The Epicentre of Northumbria

By the 7th century AD, the castle had become the stronghold of the great kingdom of Northumbria, after King Oswiu unified Bernicia with the land of the Deira. As Northumbria grew in might, so too did Bamburgh Castle. Under the rule of the Northumbrian kings, the fortifications were expanded and improved. Within Bamburgh’s formidable walls, kings held court, warriors prepared for battle, and in the surrounding settlement, everyday folk went about their lives. The castle stood as an epicentre of power in Dark Ages Britain.

The Wars of the Roses

An Age of Sieges

The clashes of the 15th century Wars of the Roses turned Bamburgh Castle into a prized stronghold, changing hands between the battling houses several times. When conflict erupted in 1464 over the rule of the feeble King Henry VI, the castle was a Yorkist possession. After a surprise Lancastrian victory that year, Henry VI himself took shelter within Bamburgh’s walls. But his freedom was short-lived.

The Kingmaker’s Prize

In 1470, the political winds shifted again and Richard Neville, the powerful Earl of Warwick known as “The Kingmaker”, besieged Bamburgh for nine long months. Cut off from aid, the trapped Yorkist garrison held out heroically before finally surrendering, weakened by starvation. Warwick had reclaimed the formidable fortress for the Lancastrians. But after Warwick fell in battle, the victorious Yorkists eventually regained control of Bamburgh.

Fortress of the Tudors

After his victory over Richard III at Bosworth Field, Henry VII set about securing his rule, aware of the lingering Yorkist threat. He lavished funds on restoring battle-damaged Bamburgh Castle and heightening its defences. Its aura of impregnability revived, Bamburgh Castle stood watch over England’s volatile northern marches as the Tudor dynasty cemented its rule. For a time, its days of war seemed past.

Decline and Rediscovery

The Fading Fortress

After centuries standing vigil against invasion, Bamburgh Castle’s military importance faded following England’s union with Scotland in 1603. As threats from the north waned, the once-mighty fortress fell into neglect. By the 1700s, Bamburgh was abandoned, stripped of stone and left to the elements. Sections of walls tumbled into the sea as wind and rain eroded the empty battlements.

Ruin and Renewal

By the Victorian era, Bamburgh Castle lay in romantic ruin, drawing artists and poets to its windswept ramparts. But in 1894, deliverance came through an unlikely source – the industrialist William Armstrong, who purchased the decaying ruins. Enamoured by its rich history, Armstrong hired architects to oversee extensive restorations to Bamburgh’s keep and walls.

A Castle Reborn

Thanks to Armstrong’s efforts, Bamburgh Castle was saved from destruction. After his death, his family bequeathed the castle to the state. In the 20th century, Bamburgh reopened to the public as both tourist attraction and historic site. Through world wars and into modern times, the ancient castle continues to stand, its epic history once more alive within its walls.

Bamburgh Today

A Soaring Legacy

Standing atop the battlements of Bamburgh Castle today, one can easily imagine the sights and sounds of its storied past—from the glint of swords ringing in the clash of battle to raucous feasts filling its halls with merriment. Bamburgh remains an imposingly stoic sentinel, keeping watch as it has for over 14 centuries.

Within the Walls

For visitors, Bamburgh Castle brings its dramatic history to life. The restored keep now houses armories filled with instruments of war and siegeworks that once battered its walls. Stately rooms hold fine artefacts and exhibits on the kings who once walked its halls. Knowledgeable guides regale guests with tales of bloodshed and glory from centuries past.

Beyond the Castle

Bamburgh also offers glimpses of the more humble lives lived in its shadow. Nearby excavations and reconstructions transport one back to the vibrant local settlement that once bustled outside its walls. Strolling the windswept beaches below Bamburgh, one can still feel the pull of its gravity through the ages – a fortress that remains a steadfast symbol of Northern England.

How to find Bamburgh Castle

Map to Bamburgh Castle

Places to stay

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