Bewcastle Castle

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Bewcastle Castle

Cumberland


Bewcastle Castle
Location
Grid reference: NY566747
Location: 55°3’52"N, 2°40’53"W
Town: Bewcastle
History
Key events: Civil War
Information
Condition: Ruined

Bewcastle Castle is a ruined castle in the parish of Bewcastle in the north of Cumberland.

The first castle was built on the site of a Roman fort, around 1092. It was destroyed in 1173 but was rebuilt towards the end of the 14th century. The castle was decayed by the early 15th century when Edward IV granted it to his brother, the Duke of Gloucester. The buildings were repaired and the gatehouse was possibly added at this time. Bewcastle Castle was destroyed by Cromwell in 1641. The castle was in a state of ruin by the 17th century and although much of the stone was removed for nearby buildings, part of the gatehouse still remains.

The element "castle" in the place-name Bewcastle refers to the Roman fort,[1] giving rise to the unusual repetition of the word in the castle name.[2] However, the Ordnance Survey gives the name as Bew Castle [3]

Pictures

Bewcastle Castle
The castle

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Bewcastle Castle)

References

  1. Armstrong, A.M., Mawer, A., Stenton, F.M. & Dickins, B. 1950. The Place Names of Cumberland; C.U.P., Cambridge
  2. http://www.laverocks.co.uk/gilslandmag/placenames.htm#bewcastle
  3. Landranger Series sheet 86. ISBN 0-319-22686-7
  • Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3