Structure Name: Dunstanburgh Castle

Description:
 

Ruined medieval castle standing on a promontory to the east of Embleton. Massive open area enclosed by curtain walls on three sides, with cliffs to the north. The main area of occupation was at the southwest corner of the fortification, where the huge gatehouse of 1380 opens into the Inner ward, which contains the keep and ancillary buildings. The lengthy curtain wall is punctuated by three towers: the three storey Lilburn Tower on the west wall, and on the south wall the central three storey Constable's Tower and southeast Egyncleugh Tower.

The Great Gatehouse consists of two south facing D-plan towers, once of five storeys, either side of a three storey block. The walls of the inner ward stand between two and three metres high, and have the base of the keep (originally the gatehouse) in the northeast corner. The Constable's Tower, Lilburn Tower and Egyncleugh Tower are all of square shape, and partly ruined.

In addition, there is a World War II pillbox in the grounds of Dunstanburgh.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Listed Building Grade I, Scheduled Ancient Monument

Location: Dunstanburgh Castle, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 425735m (view map)

Northings: 621910m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 100m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Structure Types Identified: CASTLE, CURTAIN WALL

Historical Background
 

Dunstanburgh Castle, begun in 1313 for the Earl of Lancaster, does not appear to have had a role in the defence of the region, but rather to have been a secure dwelling for the Earl. After his execution in 1322 the castle fell to the Constables of Dunstanburgh, who constructed the Lilburn and Egyncleugh Towers. In 1326 the castle was returned to the family of the Earl.

In 1362, however, Dunstanburgh Castle was given to John of Gaunt, who set about converting the gatehouse into a keep, and building a more daunting gate to the south. The castle was passed to Henry Bolingbroke, later Henry IV, who allowed the castle to fall into disrepair. Although later repaired, Dunstanburgh fell to Yorkist troops led by the Earl of Warwick in 1464 and was allowed to go to ruin once more.

Dunstanburgh Castle has been owned by the National Trust since the 1930s and is under the guardianship of English Heritage.
 

Chronology:

• EARLY 14TH CENTURY   Egyncleugh Tower and Lilburn Tower built into curtain wall.
• 1313 - 1316   Construction of Dunsanburgh Castle walls and gatehouse for the Earl of Lancaster. License to crenellate granted in 1316 by Edward II.
      Entities Involved:
            Earl of Lancaster: Ordered the construction of Dunstanburgh Castle.
            Master Elias The Mason: Oversaw the building of Dunstanburgh Castle.
            King Edward II: Granted license to crenellate in 1316.
• 1314   Ditch dug between the harbour to the south of the castle and the bay at the north, in an attempt to cut the promontery off from the mainland.
• 1325   Lilburn Tower built for John Lilburn, Constable of Dunstanburgh. Egyncleugh Tower of similar date.
      Entities Involved:
            Sir John Lilburn: Completed Lilburn Tower in 1325 after the execution of the Earl of Lancaster in 1322.
• LATE 14TH CENTURY   Constable Tower built into curtain wall.
• 1380 - 1383   Gatehouse converted into great tower and gate passage blocked. New gateway constructed. Inner ward created behind tower, including courtyard, living quarters and a kitchen. External barbican largely removed. Work done for John of Gaunt, overseen by Henry of Holme.
      Entities Involved:
            John of Gaunt: Commissioned work.
            Henry of Holme: Oversaw works at Dunstanburgh.
• 1436   Repairs made to castle.
• 1454   Barn built for home farm inside Dunstanburgh Castle.
• 1543   North side of curtain wall damaged by rough seas.
• 1885   Earliest gate passage unblocked.

Notes
 

Earlier occupation of the site is indicated by a number of Romano-British finds and the name's termination -burgh, a feature of many Saxon place names.
 

References:

• Images of England
• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, pp.257-259

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

view images of this structure
view location on a map

suggestions / comments welcome
  go to the top