Alnwick Castle

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Castles started to become popular around 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded England. By 1100 more than 500 castles existed and one of them was the Alnwick Castle. “The Alnwick Castle was built in 1096 on the summit of the southern bank of the Aln, on a plateau of 5 acres of ground, walled round with strong fortifications, defended by sixteen towers, and divided into two large courtyards, with the keep in the midst” (Alnwick Medieval). Located in Northumberland, England and built by Yves de Vescy, the then Baron of Alnwick, it is historically significant because “it is the second largest inhabited castle in England, and has been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percy’s through 700 years of dram, intrigue, tragedy, and romance” (Castle History). The Alnwick Castle displays how much has changed since then by what kind of history it had, what castles were used for back then, and what it contributes and is used for now in Northumberland, England

The first inhabitant of the Alnwick castle was Yves de Vescy, the then Baron of Alnwick. “He is said to have died at least one year before the first written record of construction in 1134” (Alnwick Haunted). After his death he passed Alnwick down to his only heir and daughter, Beatrix.

Beatrix got married to Eustace Fitzjohn. He was given the title of Baron of Alnwick and received the rights to the castle along with its possessions. He surrendered the castle to King David I, of Scotland, in 1138. After the Battle of the Standard, Eustace regained the rights to Alnwick and then continued to add on and improve the castle.

When Eustace died in 1157 his son, William, succeeded him as Baron of Alnwick and took the de Vescy name. William de Vescy died in 1184, and the cast...

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“Alnwick Castle.” Haunted Castles and Hotels. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. .

“Alnwick Castle.” Medieval Castles. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. .

“Alnwick Castle – Some History and Photographs.” Index. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. .

“Castle History – Alnwick Castle – The Percy Family, Earls, and Dukes of Northumberland.” Welcome to Alnwick Castle – Where History Lives. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. .

Hind, Kathryn. Life in the Middle Ages. New York: Benchmark, 2001. Print

Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh, and Christopher Simon Sykes. Great Houses of England and Wales. London: Laurence King, 2000. Print.

Welcome to Alnwick Castle - Where History Lives. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. .

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