Harbottle Castle, Harbottle, Northumberland

The castle started off as a wooden motte and bailey castle in the 12th century. By 1157 King Henry II had ordered it be replaced by a stone castle. In 1173-4 it was taken by the Scots (probably before the stone-work had even started). The stone castle was (probably) started soon after. In 1318 the castle was captured by Robert Bruce. It was ordered to be dismantled in 1319 but was restored in 1336. Much work on it was done between 1541 and 1551 when the western and northern sides of the keep were rebuilt in the present form. Further repairs were made in 1563, and in 1585. There were no further repairs and the site was used as a quarry. It suffered particularly when the new house 'Harbottle Castle' was built in the 17th century.

Location

Northumberland Harbottle

Period

Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)

Tags

castle attack defence motte bailey ruin Medieval (1066 - 1484)