The Castle
The Castle stands on a steep sided promontory overlooking the River Tyne. It is a readily defensible site which has been occupied for nearly 2000 years. Flint flakes and a stone axe head found in archaeological excavations hint at prehistoric activity.
From the mid 2nd century until the beginning of the 5th century a Roman fort – Pons Aelius – stood here, guarding the river crossing below. The site of the Roman bridge was probably where the Swing Bridge now stands. Part of the fort has been excavated and some of the buildings are now laid out in cobbled detail to the north and west of the castle keep.
From the 8th century the site of the fort was used as a Christian cemetery, presumably serving a settlement nearby.
The first castle – the New Castle upon Tyne – was founded in 1080 by Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror. The castle was probably of motte and bailey type. Nothing can now be seen above ground.