lnwick Castle is a marvel of 18th century reconstruction, founded on the remnants of earlier castles on the site. In 1755, the incomparable architect, Robert Adam, was retained by the 1st Duke of Northumberland to recreate his family's castle and much of the gothicized exterior can be traced to Adam's influence. However, almost 100 years later, the 4th Duke acquired the skills of Anthony Salvin to complete the castle's rebirth. Salvin pulled down most of Adam's modifications, and restored the structure to much of its medieval appearance. The castle retains its initial plan, which consisted of a low mound, a circular keep, two baileys, and a multi-towered, irregular curtain wall. A narrow roadway from the town center leads to the castle's entrance, which today is located to the right of the barbican as you face the castle.
he barbican is an interesting structure in itself, built to guard the main gate at its rear and deter intrusion by the enemy. A grand carving of the Percy shield with its rampant lion and the family's motto still adorns the archway. (The Percies made a special effort to decorate their castles with their heraldic lion. Nearby Warkworth Castle is also hallmarked with the figure.) The barbican and main gatehouse were physically separated by a ditch, still existing, and spanned by a drawbridge. The gatehouse was also defended with heavy doors and a portcullis. The massive structure dates to 1440, the era of the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, and would have been self-sufficient during a siege.
Although today we enter the castle through the stables courtyard to the right of the gate-complex, the actual entry point was through the barbican and associated gatehouse into the outer bailey. The outer bailey offers us our first view of the great keep in all its restored glory, as well as an impression of the design of the first castle at Alnwick. Rimming the outer bailey is a powerful curtain wall, broken at several points by tall angular towers. To the right are the 18th century Clock Tower and the Auditor's Tower, which has preserved its 14th century stonework. Apparently, the latter tower once housed livestock on the ground floor. Between the two towers is a complex of residential buildings, including bed chambers and administrative offices. Across the bailey, to the left of the keep and the original gatehouse, is the Abbot's Tower. Built in the 14th century, it once housed the Abbot of Alnwick Abbey but is now the home of the regimental museum of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Further along that side of the curtain is the rectangular Falconer's Tower, which offers fine views of the keep and its conglomeration of towers.
To the rear of the keep is the second bailey at Alnwick Castle, called the middle bailey. Like its counterpart, this bailey is highlighted by lush green grasses and enclosed by a sturdy towered curtain wall. Several segments of the wall date to the Middle Ages and are linked by the 19th century Warder's Tower, the small 14th century Eastern Garret (another tower), the angular Record Tower (with 14th and late 19th century masonry), Hotspur's Seat (a 14th century guard-tower), the semi-circular Constable's Tower (built by the 1st Lord Percy) and, lastly, the Postern Tower (also built by Henry, Lord Percy). The Constable's Tower and the Postern Tower essentially remain as they appeared in the 14th century, with only minor restoration undertaken to maintain them in outstanding condition. The Constable's Tower was home to the castle's constable (not surprisingly!), used as an armory, defended by arrowslits, and crowned with thick battlements. The Postern Tower contains the castle's last escape hatch, the sally-port or postern gateway, and was situated to give added protection to the rather vulnerable keep (there is no curtain wall between the Postern and Falconer's Towers).
assing through the Middle Gateway, which separates the two baileys on the castle's southern front, access to the keep is gained across a short wooden bridge which leads through a twin- towered archway. Built in 1350, the huge octagonal towers warn the visitor to be wary of any malicious intent. Four stories tall and defended with a portcullis (only the grooves remain) and wooden doors (dating to the 17th century), the gateway is splendidly adorned with carved shields. It only hints at the grandeur waiting ahead. An interesting "bottle Dungeon", barely lit with arrowslits, sits just inside the archway.
iewed from the exterior, the battlemented, polygonal keep is a breath-taking spectacle, sitting proudly atop the low earthen mound. Masonry from virtually all building periods at the site are visible in the walling of the keep,including the Norman Era. However, the bulk of the structure dates to the 19th century restoration effort. Clearly, the most imposing, curious and entertaining feature of the keep is the presence of the life-sized stone soldiers steadfastly discouraging any attempts at takeover. These figures are visible from quite a distance and are so realistic that, even today, we must pause to remind ourselves that they are merely wonderful stone carvings. But, their presence atop the battlements would have certainly given the enemy the distinct impression that a formidable garrison inhabited the castle.
he marvelous interiors at Alnwick Castle are simply awesome. Features of interest include: the lovely Grand Staircase, lined with marble and embellished with a vaulted ceiling and stucco-work; the Guard Chamber, with its gilded furniture and ceiling panels, mosaic flooring, marble statues, and other fine artwork; the incredible Library, with an even grander panelled, gilt ceiling, double-tiered bookcases, and impressive chimneypieces; the pretty Music Room, colored in hues of gold, and having a more intricately carved panelled ceiling covered with gold, fine chimneypieces, and gilt furniture; the Red Drawing Room, which dazzles the beholder, containing wonderfully gilded panelled ceilings and another remarkable chimneypiece, this time flanked with ebony cabinets and intricate gilding; and the grand Dining Room, once the site of the medieval banqueting hall, a bit subdued in comparison to the previous room, yet having finely carved wood ceilings, another impressive chimneypiece, and other objects d'arte.
ords can only begin to express the splendor of Alnwick Castle, both inside and out. The best way to experience the wonders of the home of the Dukes of Northumberland is to visit the site for yourself. Alnwick Castle sits just off the A1 in the town of Alnwick, some 30 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne or 30 miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The castle is open daily during the summer (Easter to October), for a fee. Enjoy!
Please visit the Alnwick Castle Home page at http://www.alnwickcastle.com, for more information on history and travel.
Lise Hull owns and operates CASTLES UNLIMITED, a business dedicated to the promotion and study of British castles. She has a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation and has visited over 160 castles in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. She can be reached at:
CASTLES UNLIMITED
942 2nd Street NE
Bandon, OR 97411.
E-mail: CASTLESU@aol.com.
Text copyright ©1996 Lise Hull, Castles Unlimited
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