LANCASTER CASTLE

Lancashire

Lancaster is one of Britain's most historic towns, and one of the chief survivors from its heyday is the Castle which crowns its highest point above the River Lune.  This was the site of the Roman Fort of Luncastrum from which the city gets its name.

The first Castle was probably a motte and bailey built by Roger de Poitou.  Not a lot remains to be seen of the early Castle.  A keep stands inside the walls, but this is chiefly an Elizabethan rebuild based around a keep from around the reign of John.  Both King Stephen and King John were Lords of Lancaster Castle, but it really it its heyday when it became the chief seat of power of the House of Lancaster.

The Castle was owned by John of Gaunt and it is him who we can thank for the wonderfully powerful gatehouse (pictured) which is Lancaster Castle's most spectacular feature, although it was probably finished by his son Henry IV as it bears his coat of arms.  John of Gaunt's son seized the throne as Henry IV and the Wars of the Roses started in earnest.  This was also the period of Scottish raids and Lancaster town was attacked many times, although the Castle was usually avoided being considered too strong.

With Lancaster victorious in the Wars of the Roses (eventually) the Castle fell into disuse and became the town gaol and courthouse.  It still performs that function to this day and was largely rebuilt inside by Thomas Harrison between 1788 and 1823.

Tours of the interior are available throughout the summer and are very interesting, but John of Gaunt's Gate is still the best feature of this massive and foreboding building.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
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2001