Morpeth Castle
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Morpeth Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building at Morpeth, Northumberland.
The original motte and bailey dating from the 11th century was destroyed about 1215. A new castle was built in the bailey of the original in the 1340s, but little of that structure survives apart from parts of the curtain wall and the much altered gatehouse.
The castle was held by and passed by the female line through several illustrius families; de Merlay, Greystoke, Dacre and Howard, none of whom resided there for any long period.
In about 1858 the gatehouse was restored and converted to provide a staff residence. In 1946 the castle was acquired by the Borough of Morpeth but stood empty and neglected from about 1960. In 1988 it was sold to Landmark Trust who carried out refurbishments to the property in order to offer the gatehouse to let as holiday accommodation.
[edit] References
- The David and Charles Book of Castles Plantagenet Somerset Fry 1980 ISBN 0 7153 7976 3
