Bamburgh Castle (Bamburgh)
Bamburgh Castle is a most imposing castle on the coast at Bamburgh in Northumberland.
Made of red sandstone, it is on the edge of a 150 foot cliff, and is a wonderful sight when viewed from along the coast.
The site was a stronghold of the Celtic Votadini tribe, and was taken over by the Romans.
In 547 the castle was built by King Ida and Bamburgh became the capital of Bernicia, and of a united Northumbria after the Battle of Heavenfield in 633.
In the 7th century it was sacked by invaders from Mercia and in the 9th century by Vikings.
The castle was rebuilt in the Norman period, and was attacked on various occasions. Henry II built the massive keep, and John installed a constable, who proceeded to rob passing ships. Henry III built the King`s Hall.
Henry VI ruled briefly from Bamburgh, and in 1464 the castle became the first one in England to surrender to gunpowder.
Lord Crewe purchased the castle, by then a ruin, in 1704, and it had periods as a school and lifeboat station.
Today Bamburgh is the home of the Armstrong family and has a number of flats for public tenants.
Bamburgh Castle is believed by some to be Lancelot`s "Joyous Gard".