Bewcastle Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bewcastle Castle
Bewcastle, Cumbria, England
Bewcastle Castle
Bewcastle Castle
Coordinates	55°03′54″N 2°40′52″W / 55.0649°N 2.6811°W / 55.0649; -2.6811
Site information
Condition	Ruined
Site history
Materials	Stone
Events	English Civil War

Bewcastle Castle is an old, ruined castle in Cumbria, England. It is located near the Scottish border. This historic site was built on the remains of an even older Roman fort.

The Story of Bewcastle Castle

Early Days and Roman Roots

Bewcastle Castle was first built around the year 1092. It stands on the spot of an old Roman fort. The castle is surrounded by a dry ditch, called a moat. Parts of this moat actually use ditches from the ancient Roman fort.

Destruction, Rebuilding, and Royal Ties

Sadly, the castle was destroyed in 1173. But it was rebuilt later, towards the end of the 1300s. By the early 1400s, the castle was starting to fall apart again.

Around that time, King Edward IV gave the castle to his brother. This brother was the Duke of Gloucester, who later became King Richard III. During this period, the castle buildings were fixed up. A main entrance building, called a gatehouse, was likely added then too.

Family Ownership and a Famous Duel

From the late 1400s, the Musgrave family owned Bewcastle Castle. In 1602, a man named Thomas Musgrave faced a serious accusation. Another person, Lancelot Carleton, told the Privy Council that Thomas was protecting thieves at the castle. The Privy Council was a group of advisors to the King.

To settle this argument, Thomas Musgrave and Lancelot Carleton fought a duel. This fight happened at a place called Canonbie Holm.

The Castle's Ruin

Bewcastle Castle was reportedly destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in 1641. Cromwell was a famous English military and political leader. By the 1600s, the castle was already in ruins.

Much of its stone was taken away to build other structures nearby. However, a large part of the gatehouse still stands today. It even includes an old toilet area, called a garderobe.

What's in a Name?

The name "Bewcastle" is interesting because it seems to repeat the word "castle." This is because the "castle" part of the name likely refers to the Roman fort it was built inside. So, it's like saying "fort-castle castle." The Ordnance Survey, which maps the UK, sometimes calls it "Bew Castle."

Images for kids

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  Bewcastle castle

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  The castle