Norham Castle

Norham Castle is a ruined castle, originally built as a motte-and-bailey castle in 1121 for Bishop Flambard. It was subsequently rebuilt in stone around 1157 by Richard of Wolviston for Bishop Puiset. Elements from this 12th-century period include the keep and portions of the walls and the west gateway. 13th-century additions comprise the south wall of the outer ward and the great hall within the inner ward. The keep underwent significant remodelling between 1422 and 1425, followed by further rebuilding work, primarily to the north wall, between 1513 and 1515 under Bishop Ruthal. One turret of the south wall was incorporated into a Gothic cottage in the late 18th or early 19th century.

The castle includes an inner ward with the keep forming its south-east corner, and an outer ward with a West Gate and the site of a former Sheep Gate within the south curtain wall. Both inner and outer moats are present.

The outer ward is large, quadrant-shaped, and situated on a dramatic sloping site. The West Gate, located at the left-hand corner, was extensively altered in the 15th and 16th centuries, though remnants of the 12th-century tunnel vault remain. A barbican was added in the 15th century, accompanied by a stone causeway with a central gap for a drawbridge pivoted on a central axis. The north wall features three casemates with cannon portholes. Only the substructure of the south wall remains, including portions of 13 or 14 arches which once formed the wall’s base and were formerly buried within an embankment. Lower courses of the Sheep Gate and three turrets are also visible. A fourth turret, located to the right of the Sheep Gate, is covered by the Gothic cottage. The east wall is largely from the 12th century but features a 16th-century turret.

Within the inner ward, only the lower parts of the walls of the gatehouse, great hall, great chamber, and kitchen remain, abutting the north, east, and west curtain walls. The keep is the most prominent feature, measuring approximately 84 feet by 60 feet and around 90 feet high. Much of the north wall has disappeared, but the remainder stands to its full height. The ground floor incorporates three tunnel-vaulted chambers, with vaults divided into bays by broad transverse ribs rising from flat pilasters, creating a lightly groined effect. A large round-arched recess is present on the first floor. The west wall was largely rebuilt in the 15th century and includes a stone newel staircase. Numerous 12th, 13th, and 15th-century window openings are visible. Attached to the south wall are the lower courses of a garderobe tower.