BARNARD CASTLE (CASTLE)

'Barnard Castle' () is a ruinous medieval castle situated in the town of the same name in County Durham. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building.
Guy de Baliol was granted the manor in 1095 and built a fortified residence above the River Tees. When John Baliol was deposed as King of Scotland in 1296 the manor fell to the Bishop of Durham who granted it to the Earl of Warwick.
Over the next two centuries the Nevilles enlarged and improved the estate and created a substantial and impresssive castle. However when Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland was attainted for his leading role in the Rising of the North the Neville estates were sequestered. In 1626 the Crown sold the castle and also the Neville property at Raby Castle to Sir Henry Vane.
Vane decided to make Raby his principal residence and Barnard Castle was abandoned and its contents and much of its masonry were removed for the maintenance and improvement of Raby.
The castle is in the custody of English Heritage and is open to the public. Of particular interest are the ruins of 12th century cylindrical tower and the 14th century Great Hall and Great Chamber.

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References

References

★ Structures of the North East

★ The Gatehouse Gazetteer