History of Castle Keep in Newcastle
In 210 AD, the Romans built a bridge across the River Tyne and named it “Pons Aelius” in honour of Emperor Hadrian. They also built a fort on the cliff overlooking the bridge in order to protect the bridge. After the Romans left the country, the Anglo Saxons added a cemetery to the Roman fort side and it came to be known as Monkchester.
In the late 11th century, William the Conqueror sent his oldest son to defend his kingdom against the Scots. The son, Robert Curthose, settled in Monkchester after his winning his battles and built a “new castle”. That’s why Monkchester was renamed Newcastle. The castle was a wooden tower built on top of an earthen mound (known as a motte) surrounded by a wooden stockade (known as a bailey) surrounded by a moat.
History of the Black Gate in Newcastle
The castle keep was built by Henry II almost 80 years later and he built a stone bailey to replace the wooden one. An outer stone gateway, known as the “Black Gate” was built by Henry III. Because there were no walls around the town, the citizens hid in the bailey during invasions. Walls were built in the late 13th century but the castle was falling into neglect. Stone and other material from the castle were used constructing the houses and shops in the settlement.
From the 16th to the 18th century, the castle keep was used as a prison. In 1809, the Newcastle Corporation purchased the keep and demolished the homes within the castle boundaries. With the arrival of the railway in the mid 19th century, a viaduct was built on the castle site. Only the Castle Keep and Black Gate remain standing today.
What to See at Newcastle Castle Keep
Inside the Keep
- Main Floor: The Chapel and Garrison Room which was once used as a prison
- First Floor: At one time it was one large room but was eventually divided up into four chambers, one of which is the Queen’s Chamber
- Second Floor: The main room is the Great Hall with and the King’s Chamber. The Well Room was used for distributing water within the keep
Newcastle Curtain Wall
Only small parts of the south and east wall are visible.
Remains of a tower on the south wall can be seen behind the Bridge Hotel. Part of the tower was destroyed when a bridge was built. The ruins of the east wall can be seen from the top of Dog Leap Stairs and was found during archaeological digs just over 25 years ago.
Newcastle’s Castle Keep Visitor Information
Opening Times
- Daily (April to September) 9.30am to 5.30pm
- (October to March) 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day.
- Last entry 30 minutes before closing time.
Admission Charges
- Adults £1.50p
- Senior Citizens, Students and those out of work 50p
- Children (under 16) 50p
- Special rates for party visits of 12 or more and schools
Access for disabled people: Disabled facilities include a virtual tour of the Keep and Castle Garth situated within the 'Garrison Room' on the ground floor of the Keep. These tours are by appointment only and free of charge.
If you are interested in ghosts and paranormal activity, Newcastle’s Till Death Do Us Part Ghost Walk by Alone in the Dark Entertainment pays a visit to the Castle Keep.
Sources
Related Articles on Newcastle England:
Gateshead Millennium Tilting Bridge
Christmas in Newcastle Gateshead
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