| Summary : A multi-phase castle, probably originally built as a ringwork by Guy de Balliol circa 1095, later fortified as a shell keep castle between about 1130-1200. The form of the 12th century castle was tith the Inner Ward in the north-west corner of the site above the River Tees, with a Middle Ward to the south of this and the Town Ward courtyard to the east of these two; further south adjaced to the Middle and Town Wards was the Outer Ward. Further construction occurred between about 1329-1380. From about 1230 to 1329 it saw a flourishing period as a great household of the Balliols, a family with high dynastic aspirations and political influence in both northern England and Scotland, particularly under both John Balliol the Elder and the Younger. Later it was a castle of the earls of Warwick (the Beauchcamps) and a Royal Castle. It was in disrepair through the 15th and 16th centuries, partly as a matter of official royal policy for ruling the north: it was then partly dismantled in the 17th century. The castle is in the care of English Heritage. |
More information : (Centred NZ 0491 1641) Castle (NR) (1)
NZ 049 165. Barnard Castle - scheduled. (2) (3)
Parts of the castle have been renovated by Ministry of Works.
Revised on 1:1250 CR field document. (4)
Trial excavations (1974) revealed a square tower, 3.0 m x 3.5 m
internally, built in the 14th century at the junction of the Town
Ward south curtain wall and the Middle Ward east curtain wall which were built at the same time. (5)
Barnard Castle, probably built by Guy de Baliol, c.1095. It initially
consisted of a ring work, now the inner ward of the present castle. Excavation uncovered an aisled hall and a stone gatehouse. The great stone enceinte was built by Bernard de Baliol the elder before 1135. The ringwork was converted into the inner ward. The town ward was excavated 1974-6 and the inner ward 1976-80. (6-8)
Additional reference. (9)
The fabric and history of the castle is documented comprehensively in the English Heritage Guidebook. (10)
Existing survey revised by RCHME during a survey of scheduled
monuments in County Durham.
Certain earthworks not previously recorded were noted during
fieldwork in the Outer Ward in the southern part of the castle. These comprise a trackway no more than 0.3 m deep, which may have linked Constable Tower to the site of the Chapel of St Margaret, as recorded by Authority 10 (p.25); what is probably a broad natural scarp running from NW to SE across the ward, which is truncated by a small crescentic scarp in the NW; and finally in the SW what may be tumble from a wall enclosing the Ward and standing to a height of 0.9 m. The Outer Ward functioned as the farm of the castle and seems to have
remained relatively undeveloped, therefore some of these features may be contemporary with the occupation of the castle. Geophysical survey of this area could confirm these suggestions. (11)
Consolidated and displayed ruins of castle, partly excavated.
Listed Grade I.
Former chapel in outer ward of the Castle, with wall attached.
Listed Grade II. (12)
NZ 0491 1640. Barnard Castle: ringwork, shell keep castle, chapel and dovecote. Scheduled RSM No 23222. (13)
Listed by Cathcart King. (14)
Additional references. (15,16)
The castle became a royal possession when Richard III became king, through his wife, Anne Neville. (17)
Major work of synthesis published 2007. The two volume report looks at perceptions of the site, its place in the wider geographical and political setting, the stages development of the castle, main phases of contsruction and stagnation gained through looking at documentary sources, excavation and building recording. In the second volume the material culture/finds from the site are also considered. Both volumes are illustrated with numerous reproductions of historic images, line drawings and maps. (18)
2018 aerial reconnaissance photography revealed numerous features visible as parchmarks within the grounds of the castle. These mostly notably include buried pathways relating to the 'Castle Garden' of the mid-20th century, perhaps established when the castle was first opened to the public.
(19) |