DURHAM CASTLE

County Durham

The City of Durham is one of the most spectacular in the whole of England, standing on its high loop of the River Wear with its massive Cathedral (described by Sir Walter Scott as "half house of God, half Castle against the Scot") and the Castle next to it.

The Castle is a very early one; a ringwork was built here by William I around 1072. This was converted into a motte and bailey by Bishop Walcher around 1078.  In 1080 the Castle was strong enough to withstand a three-day siege by rebels. It was subsequently built in stone by Bishop Ranulph Flambard with a shell keep crowning the motte.  A good deal of the Castle was destroyed by a fire in 1155 and in 1174 the only remaining part, the keep, was confiscated from Bishop Hugh de Puiset whose loyalty to the King was (probably rightly) in some doubt. This didn't stop the King selling the whole of Northumbria to Bishop Hugh in 1189.  This sale included Durham Castle and Bishop Hugh rebuilt, and probably added the gatehouse.

Bishop Anthony Bek, one of the great Durham heroes, added more during his tenure (1284-1311) as did Bishop Thomas Hatfield (1345-1381).  It was Bishop Hatfield who added a completely new keep.  However, all was ruined by 1485 "partly owing to former neglect and partly owing to the devastation committed by the Scots".

It remained wrecked until it was rebuilt by Bishop Tunstall around 1540. By this time it was more of a palace than a Castle and was taken easily in a rebellion in 1569.  It was occupied by the Scots during the Civil War and they "spoiled and ruined it with gunpowder".  During the Commonwealth it was owned by a succession of unsympathetic owners, being regained on the Restoration by the Prince Bishops.  It remained in poor condition until around 1750 when Bishops Butler and Trevor rescued it and rebuilt it in more or less the form we see today, save for the upper storey of the keep which was knocked down at the end of the 18th century.

In 1840 the Castle became the home of Durham University (England's third oldest) who still own it today, endowing it with a vitality missing from many Castles.  On the guided tour it is students who take the visitors around.

Back to Castles of County Durham Page

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001