Dunstanburgh Castle facts for kids
Dunstanburgh Castle is a castle built in the 14th century. It is on the coast of Northumberland between the villages of Craster and Embleton. It is on a huge rock next to the North Sea. The castle is owned by English Heritage. The name Dunstanburgh means 'the fort' (burgh) 'of the town' (dun) 'by the rock' (stan).
History
The castle was first built in 1313 by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. However Roman and Iron Age remains have been found there. It may have been an Iron Age fort. He was an enemy of King Edward II. Thomas only visited the castle once before he was killed. The castle was not used again until the War of the Roses. The Earl of Warwick attacked it twice and it was almost destroyed.
World War II
The castle was defended in WW2 because it was a possible target for a German landing. Land mines were laid and a radar station was built near the castle. The beaches were guarded with barbed wire and concrete pillboxes were built nearby. The fort and other facilities were manned by soldiers.
It was not used again and is now in ruins. The area is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
The remains of the Constable's house and complex of buildings (left) and the Constable's Tower (right)
-
Lilburn Tower, seen from the edge of the outer bailey
-
The Gull Crag cliffs and Lilburn Tower
-
A sketch of the castle by Thomas Girtin, 1796
-
The Great Gatehouse in 1884, showing the partially-blocked passageway
-
A type 24 concrete pillbox from the Second World War, positioned north of the castle
-
A Six-spot burnet moth, part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest around the castle
-
Surrounding landscape: A – North Mere; B – North Gate; C – earthen bank; D – West Gate; E – West Mere and fishponds; F – dam; G – South Mere; H – South Gate; I – harbour
-
Plan of the castle: A – North Sea; B – Rumbling Churn; C – gateway to Castle Point; D – Gull Crag; E – Lilburn Tower; F – Outer bailey; G – Grange; H – Postern Gate; I – Huggam's House; J – John of Gaunt's Gatehouse; K – Inner bailey; L – Constable's House; M – Egyncleugh Tower; N – Queen Margaret's Cove; O – Great Gatehouse; P – Constable's Tower
-
Plan of the Great Gatehouse
-
Matthew Lewis, also known as 'Monk' Lewis, the author of the poem Sir Guy the Seeker
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Dunstanburgh para niños
