The Castle

The Castle of Newcastle Upon Tyne stands on a steep sided promontory overlooking the River Tyne. The site has been occupied for nearly 2000 years, with flint flakes and a stone axehead found in archaeological excavations testament to much earlier prehistoric activity. From the mid 2nd century till the beginning of the 5th century the Roman fort of Pons Aelius stood on the present castle site guarding the river crossing. From the 8th century the site of the fort was used as a Christian cemetery. The New Castle Upon Tyne was founded by Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror in 1080 and was a motte and bailey type. The castle was rebuilt in stone during the reign of Henry II, between 1168 and 1178. In this time the keep and the curtain wall, with a gatehouse (Bailey Gate) were added to the site. During the reign of King John (1207 - 1216) an aisled hall was built in the bailey and during the reign of Henry III between 1247 and 1250 a barbican - the Black Gate was added to the north gate. The town wall was completed in the mid 14th century and the castle became isolated within the new defences. By 1589 it was described as old and ruinous.

Click play above for a short history of the Castle complex ^