The original fortification that stood on this site was destroyed by Vikings in 993.The Normans built a new castle on this site which is the core of the main castle today . William II unsuccessfuly besieged it in 1095 during a revolt supported by its owner Robert de Mowbary Earl of Northumbria. After Robert was captured, his wife carried on the defence until coerced into surrender by The Kings threat to blind here husband. Bamburgh then became the property of The English Monarch Henry II who probably built the keep as an English outpost. The castle was a target for many occasional raids from Scotland. In the War of the Roses in 1464 it was the first castle in England to be defeated by artillery fire after a nine month siege by Richard Neville The 16 th Earl of Warwick.The Forster family of Northumberland provided the crown with sixteen succesive Governors to the castle over the next 400 years until the Crown granted ownership to Sir John Foster. The Castle deteriorated and was restored during the 18th and 19th centuries by its various owners . It was finally bought by the Victorian Industrialist William Strong who completed its vast restoration.The Castle still belongs to the Armstrong Family and is open to the public.The Castle has been used on many occassions for filming and such films as Ivanhoe, El Cid, and Mary Queen of Scotts have been made here.
Thank you Terry and Barbara for this nice card from your visit there..Posted 20 November 2010. thanks
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