Bamburgh Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bamburgh Castle |
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| Bamburgh, Northumberland | |
Bamburgh Castle from the southwest
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 Bamburgh Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°36′29″N 1°42′32″W / 55.608°N 1.709°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Armstrong family |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 4 January 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1280155 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 11th century |
Bamburgh Castle is a famous castle located on the northeast coast of England. It stands proudly near the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland. This amazing building is officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's super important and protected.
Long ago, this spot was home to an old fort built by the Celtic Britons. It was called Din Guarie. This fort might have been the main city for the kingdom of Bernicia from about 420 AD until 547 AD. In 547, King Ida of Bernicia captured it. Over time, the fort changed hands between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons a few times. By 590, it was firmly under Anglo-Saxon control. Sadly, Vikings destroyed the fort in 993. Later, the Normans built a new castle right on this spot. This new castle is the main part of the one you see today. After a rebellion in 1095, the castle became the property of the English king.
In the 1600s, the castle started to fall apart because of money problems. But, different owners helped fix it up during the 1700s and 1800s. Finally, a rich businessman from the Victorian era named William Armstrong bought it. He finished making it look amazing again. Today, Bamburgh Castle still belongs to the Armstrong family and is open for everyone to visit!
Contents
History of Bamburgh Castle
How Old is Bamburgh Castle?
Bamburgh Castle is built on a dark, rocky hill made of volcanic rock. This spot was first home to an old fort of the Celtic Britons called Din Guarie. It might have been the capital city of Bernicia, a kingdom of the Gododdin people, from about 420 AD. The first written mention of the castle was in 547 AD. In that year, the fort was captured by the Anglo-Saxon ruler Ida of Bernicia. It then became Ida's main base.
The Britons briefly took the castle back from Ida's son, Hussa, during a war in 590. But the Anglo-Saxons got it back later that same year. Around 600 AD, Hussa's successor, Æthelfrith, gave the castle to his wife, Bebba. This is where the early name Bebbanburh came from. Sadly, Vikings destroyed this original fort in 993.
The Normans later built a new castle on the same spot. This new castle is the main part of the castle we see today. In 1095, King William II tried to capture it during a rebellion. The castle's owner, Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumbria, supported this rebellion. After Robert was caught, his wife kept defending the castle. But she gave up when the king threatened to blind her husband.
After this, Bamburgh Castle became the property of the English king. King Henry II likely built the strong central tower, called a keep, which was finished by 1164. Later, in 1191, King Richard I made Sir John Forster the first Governor of Bamburgh Castle. This was a reward for his service during the Siege of Acre. After the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, King David II was held prisoner at Bamburgh Castle.
During the civil wars at the end of King King John's rule, the castle was controlled by Philip of Oldcoates. In 1464, during the Wars of the Roses, the castle faced a long nine-month siege. Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, known as the "Kingmaker," attacked it for the Yorkists. This siege was famous for using a lot of cannons.
Bamburgh Castle in Modern Times
The Forster family continued to be governors of the castle for the Crown. In the mid-1500s, the Crown gave ownership of the church and castle to another Sir John Forster. The family owned it until Sir William Forster (who died in 1700) went bankrupt. His properties, including the castle, were sold in 1704 to pay off his debts. Lord Crew, Bishop of Durham, bought it.
Lord Crewe put the castle in the care of a group of trustees. Thomas Sharp, a church leader, was in charge of this group. After Thomas Sharp died, his son, John Sharp, took over. John Sharp fixed up the castle's main tower and courtrooms. He also started a hospital there. In 1894, a rich industrialist named William Armstrong bought the castle. He finished the big restoration project.
During the Second World War, small concrete forts called pillboxes were built in the sand dunes. These were to protect the castle and the area from a German invasion. In 1944, a Royal Navy ship was even named HMS Bamborough Castle after the castle. The castle is still owned by the Armstrong family today.
After the war, the castle was given its Grade I Listed status. This means it's a very important historic building.
Where is Bamburgh Castle Located?
Bamburgh Castle is in a great spot on the coast. About 9 miles (14 km) south along the coast is the old fortress of Dunstanburgh Castle. About 5 miles (8 km) north is Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island. If you go inland about 16 miles (26 km) south, you'll find Alnwick Castle, which is the home of the Duke of Northumberland.
What Can We Learn from Archaeology at Bamburgh?
Archaeological digs started at Bamburgh in the 1960s. A researcher named Brian Hope-Taylor found amazing things, like a gold plaque called the Bamburgh Beast and the Bamburgh Sword. Since 1996, the Bamburgh Research Project has been studying the castle's history and the area around it. They have focused on the fort site and an early medieval burial ground called the Bowl Hole. This graveyard is in the sand dunes south of the castle. People first found evidence of it after a storm in 1817.
Between 1998 and 2007, during excavations at the Bowl Hole, the remains of 120 people from the 600s and 700s were found. Professor Charlotte Roberts from Durham University led this research. They discovered remains of people who came from places like Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.
In 2016, these remains were moved to the crypt of St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh. Visitors can see the crypt through a small gate.
Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum
Inside the castle's old laundry rooms, you'll find the Armstrong and Aviation Artefacts Museum. This museum has exhibits about the Victorian industrialist William Armstrong. It also features Armstrong Whitworth, the manufacturing company he started. You can see old engines, cannons, weapons, and aviation items from both world wars.
Images for kids
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See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Bamburgh para niños
