Morpeth Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morpeth Castle |
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| Morpeth, Northumberland | |
The gatehouse of Morpeth Castle
(the only intact remnants) |
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 Morpeth Castle
Location in Northumberland
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| Coordinates | 55°09′50″N 1°41′10″W / 55.164°N 1.686°W |
Morpeth Castle is a really old and important building in Morpeth, Northumberland, in the northeast of England. It's known as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building, which means it's super important for history. Today, the Landmark Trust has fixed it up, and you can even rent it for a holiday!
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What is Morpeth Castle?
Morpeth Castle started as a simple fort built on a hill. It looked over the River Wansbeck. The first castle was a "motte and bailey" type. This means it had a big mound of earth (the motte) with a tower on top. It also had a fenced-in area below (the bailey).
When Was the Castle Built?
The very first castle was built way back in the 11th century. That's over 900 years ago! But King John destroyed it in 1216. A new stone castle was built in the 1340s. Not much of that second castle is left today. You can still see parts of its outer wall and the main gatehouse.
Who Lived at Morpeth Castle?
Many important families owned Morpeth Castle over the years. These included the de Merlay, Greystoke, Dacre, and Howard families. But most of them didn't live there for very long.
One famous person who stayed at the castle was Margaret Tudor. She was the sister of King Henry VIII of England. In 1516, Margaret stayed at Morpeth Castle for four months. She was hiding from her enemies in Scotland and looking for safety with her brother.
What Happened During the English Civil War?
The castle had one big battle during the English Civil War. This was in 1644. About 500 Scottish soldiers were defending the castle for Parliament. They held out for 20 days against 2,700 Royalist soldiers. It was a very brave fight!
How Was the Castle Restored?
Around 1860, the gatehouse of the castle was fixed up. It was turned into a home for staff.
The Landmark Trust's Work
In 1988, the Landmark Trust rented the castle for a long time. They started a big project in 1990 to fix it up completely. They brought back many of the gatehouse's old features. They also removed newer parts, like a swimming pool. Now, the gatehouse is a special place where people can stay for holidays.
Images for kids
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Morpeth Castle walls
