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Historic England Research Records

Morpeth Castle

Hob Uid: 25334
Location :
Northumberland
Morpeth
Grid Ref : NZ2000085470
Summary : The castle was built between 1342-1349 under the aegis of William de Greystock, and was probably destroyed in the siege of 1644. Standing remains comprise part of the curtain wall and gatehouse. The Gateway was restored in the 17th century and between 1857-8. All the walls are in a poor state of repair. Scheduled.
More information : MORPETH CASTLE [GT] (Remains of) [NZ 2000 8547] (1)

C14th castle where gatehouse & ruined curtain walls still remain (2)

The present Castle at MORPETH was built 1342-1349(1), the gateway, tower has no portcullis groove, the top is embattled, having corner turrets, the outer walls are shattered and there are no traces of internal buildings. (3)

Castle was besieged in 1644 and probably never restored(4) Erected 1342-1359 by WILLIAM de GREYSTOCK(5)

13421359 to be the correct dates of W. de GREYSTOCK'S span.] (6)

MORPETH CASTLE is still known as such. (7)

[Centred NZ 20028549] MORPETH CASTLE is situated in a commanding position on top of a hill.

The remains consist of the gatehouse and stretches of curtain wall which probably formed a western bailey or count. The gatehouse at NZ 20018552 is a rectangular building with a central passage running E-W. Extensive renovation has left few traces of antiquity, but those remaining include the arches and segmental vaulting of the passage, two doorways in the passage, and small windows on all sides except the south. The larger windows and the battlements are modern. The gatehouse is in an excellent state of repair and is in use as a private residence.

The remaining stretches of curtain wall (as shown on plan) have an average thickness of 1.0m and rise to a maximum height of 3.0m. They originally consisted of dressed stone facings with a rubble core, but most of the facing has been robbed, leaving the core standing.

On the inside face of the north wall near its western end are the remains of a fireplace and other building traces. These remains possibly indicate the existence of a corner tower.

At NZ 20098551 is a stretch of wall 13.0m long, 4.5m high and 1.2m thick, with two buttresses on the east side. In this wall are the remains of a window and doorway, possibly later insertions. There was insufficient evidence to determine if the fragment was part of the curtain wall of an eastern bailey, or was the remains of an unidentified building. The window and door contained no dateable features.

All the walls are in a poor state of repair. See overleaf for plan of remains. (8,9)

Published survey 1/2 500 revised (earthworks). (10)

Photographs of MORPETH CASTLE looking S and Gatehouse looking SW.


Morpeth Castle. Grade I. C14 mostly. A gate-house keep in good preservation and remains of a curtain wall. The earlier motte-and-bailey castle or 'Haw Hill' or 'Old Mote' is entirely earthwork and therefore not listed. (11)

(NZ 2000 8552) Morpeth Castle (NR) (Remains of) (NAT) (12)

Morpeth Castle. Grade I. Castle gatehouse, stables and curtain wall. Probably founded C13 and some curtain walling may be of this date. Gateway C14 extensively restored C17 and in 1857-8 for the Earl of Carlisle. See List for full account. (13)

NZ 200 855. Morpeth Castle. Scheduled No ND/653. (14)

The gatehouse is now owned by The Landmark Trust. (15)

Listed by Cathcart King. (16)

History of the castle. (17)
Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 1921-38 Prov Ed
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Source Number : 2
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Source details :
Page(s) : 152
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Vol(s) : 22
Source Number : 9
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Source details : OS 1/2500, 1922, Northum 69.6
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Source Number : 10
Source :
Source details : F2 BHP 29-MAR-71
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Source Number : 11
Source :
Source details : DOE(HHR) Borough of Morpeth, Northum, Dec 1970, 3
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Source Number : 12
Source :
Source details : OS 1:10000 1977
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Source Number : 13
Source :
Source details : DOE Listed Buildings Boro of Castle Morpeth, Northumbs 22-Aug-1986 126
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Source Number : 14
Source :
Source details : English Heritage SAM List Northumbs March 1994 30
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Source Number : 15
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Source details : NMR Recording 13-MAR-1996
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Source Number : 16
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Source details :
Page(s) : 337
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Source Number : 17
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Source details :
Page(s) : 213-6
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Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : Early Norman Castles of the British Isles 1912 171 Plan op 168 (ES Armitage) Scale= 1/5040 approx
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Source Number : 3a
Source :
Source details : Border Holds 11 (Bates)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Hist of Morpeth 1832 20-26 Plate Illus (J Hodgson)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : (WH Knowles)
Page(s) : 243-44
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Vol(s) : Sep-21
Source Number : 6
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Source details : Hist of Northum Pt 2 2 1832 377 (J Hodgson)
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : F1 EG 08-MAR-54
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Source Number : 7b
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Source details : Oral Mr Perkins (8.2.54) Surveyor, Morpeth Borough Council, Owners, Bridge St, Morpeth
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : F2 EG 15-MAR-54
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Built 1342 to 1349
Monument End Date : 1349
Monument Start Date : 1342
Monument Type : Castle, Gatehouse
Evidence : Ruined Building, Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Renovated in 17th century
Monument End Date : 1700
Monument Start Date : 1601
Monument Type : Gatehouse
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Destroyed
Monument End Date : 1644
Monument Start Date : 1644
Monument Type : Castle, Gatehouse
Evidence : Ruined Building, Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Restored 1857 to 1858
Monument End Date : 1858
Monument Start Date : 1857
Monument Type : Gatehouse
Evidence : Extant Building
Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ND 653
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 238706
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 79099
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 86986
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 28 NW 1
External Cross Reference Notes :
Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1954-03-08
End Date : 1954-03-08
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1954-03-15
End Date : 1954-03-15
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1971-03-29
End Date : 1971-03-29
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1991-01-01
End Date : 1991-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2001-01-01
End Date : 2001-12-31