Castle Garth, The Keep
Castle Garth, The Keep
HER Number
101
District
Newcastle
Site Name
Castle Garth, The Keep
Place
Newcastle
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
Class
Defence
Site Type: Broad
Castle
Site Type: Specific
Castle
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Description
A triangular-shaped fortification with steep slopes to east and south. Originally a largely earth and timber castle of the 11th century, refortified in stone in the 12th and 13th centuries. The keep, south postern and remains of the north gate represent the first phase of this refortification; with phase 2, perhaps in the early 13th century, represented by stretches of curtain wall on the south side and at the north end. In the mid-13th century the north entrance was strengthened by the addition of the Black Gate. The castle hall against the east curtain wall probably also dated from this period. Today there are no visible remains of the west curtain wall (under the road), or of the east curtain wall south of the railway and the half moon battery (both beneath County Hall and the Moot Hall). SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT AND LISTED GRADE 1. In 1305 William Wallace was executed in London and his body parts put on display in various towns across England. His right arm was displayed on the bridge at Newcastle and a number of internal organs on the walls of the Keep. In 1323 Andrew de Harcla, first Earl of Carlisle was executed for treason and one of his quarters placed on the castle walls. In 1415 a quarter of Harry Hotspur was placed there after his execution for the Percy family's part in the rebellion against Henry IV. On 7 December 1733 a local showman claimed that he would fly from the top of the Keep. In the end he lost his nerve and instead he pushed his donkey off the edge wearing his 'wings'. The donkey survived the 100 feet fall because it landed on an onlooker {Kirkup 2009}
Easting
425040
Northing
563870
Grid Reference
NZ425040563870
Sources
<< HER 101 >> H. Bourne, 1736, Newcastle
F. Grose, 1783, Antiquities of England and Wales, IV, 63-69
J. Brand, 1789, Newcastle I, 143-77
W. Scott, 1814, The Border Antiquities, I, 4-10
Society of Antiquaries of London, 1835, Vetusta Monumenta, V, plates X-XVIII
Newcastle Library Local Studies- John Bell Collection
Illustration Northumberland Records Office- 1844 - ZAN M13 E16
J. Collingwood Bruce, 1847, Black Gate
J. Ventress, 1848, The Castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, a scrapbook
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1857, Black Gate 1, I, 40-1, 43, 57-9, 69, 90, 171, 173, 192-3, 233
W.H.D. Longstaffe, 1860, The New Castle upon Tyne, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, IV, 45-139
Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1883, Remnants of Old Newcastle-upon-Tyne II
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1884, Black Gate 2, I, 3-4, 19, 25, 39-40, 44, 62-3, 90-1, 97, 193-4, 360
W.H. Knowles & J.R. Boyle, 1890, Vestiges of Old Newcastle and Gateshead, 40-85
G. Irving, 1895, Curtain by Dog Leap Stairs Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, VI, 73
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1899, Repairs to keep, 2, VIII, 94
C.J. Bates, 1901, Castle, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, IX, 115-30
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1902, SW corner of bailey, 2, X, 136
J. Ventress, 1902, Curtain by Dog Leap Stairs, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, X, 169-70
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1904, Illustration, Doorway in wall on west side of Castle Garth, 3, I, 36-7
R.O. Heslop, 1904,...structural features of the...keep, of the castle of Newcastle... Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, XXV, 91-105
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Repairs to Black Gate, 3, II, 196, 227-8
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Black Gate, 3, II, 19, 225
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Castle, 3, II, 258-9
Excavation report, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Castle hall 3, II, 333
W.H. Knowles, 1906, Heron Pit etc. Excavation report, Archaeologia Aeliana, 3, II, xii, xxiv-xxvi
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1908, Castle hall 3, III, 34
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1908, Black Gate, 3, IV, xvii
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1910, Doc. Refs. for repairs to castle 1336-94 3, IV, 177-9
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1911, Repairs to keep, 3, VII, xv-xvi
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1912, Misc. docs. 3, V, 42-3
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1912, Repairs to keep ,3, V, 151
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1916, Keep 3, VII, 25-6
P. Brewis, 1916, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Castle, 3, VII, 116-8
J. Bell, 1916, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Repairs to keep, 1848, 3, VII, 239
J. Bell, 1918, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Repairs to keep, 1848, 3, VIII, 79-80, 82-4
Excavation report, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1920, Well in keep, 3, IX, 262-4
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1920, Visit of 1829, 3, IX, 300
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1922, Visit of 1829, 3, X, 12
W.H. Knowles, 1926, The Castle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, II, 1-51
North of England Excavation Committee, 1928, South curtain wall, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, III, 243-4
H.L. Honeyman, 1930, A Neglected Relic, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, IV, 41-3
North of England Excavation Committee, 1930, Medieval bronze pattern, 3, 3-4 -Archaeology Library Newcastle University
North of England Excavation Committee, 1932, East curtain wall 4, 8-9 -Archaeolgy Library Newcastle University
J. Charlton, 1932, Excavations near the Moot Hall in 1931,Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, V, 228-33
R.A. Brown, H.M. Colvin & A.J. Taylor, 1963, The History of the King's Works -
B. Harbottle, 1966, Excavations at the South Curtain Wall of the Castle,...1960, -61, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XLIV, 79-145
B. Harbottle, 1974, Excavation and Survey in Newcastle upon Tyne 1972-1973, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, II, 57-89
B. Harbottle, 1977, The Castle of Newcastle upon Tyne 01-Aug
B. Harbottle, & M. Ellison, 1981, An Excavation in the Castle Ditch, Newcastle upon Tyne 1974-76, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, IX, 75-250
Chateau-Gaillard & B. Harbottle, 1982, The castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, IX-X, 407-18
B. Harbottle, M. Ellison, J. Nolan, Excavation report, misc.
Photo, Newcastle Library Local Studies, The castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, keep, Black Gate
R. Fraser, 1981, Excavation report, Garrison room in keep
L. Donel, 1983, Excavation report, Chapel in keep
J. Gibson, 1884, Masons' Marks from the Castle of Newcastle, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, I, 119-20 and pl.
C.H.H. Blair, 1944, The Early Castles of Northumberland, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XXII, 122-27
J. Hodgson, 1822, Calendars of the Prisoners confined in the High Castle...1628 & 1629, Archaeologia Aeliana, 1, I, 149-63
Archaeological Journal, 1847, Re-restoration of keep, particularly chapel, IV, pp. 82, 262-4, 365
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1859, An Abstract...of the title of...Lord Ravensworth to the Old Castle.. 2, III, pp. 42-44
J. Hodgson Hinde, 1855, Castle Rents anciently payable to the Castle of Newcastle, Archaeologia Aeliana, 1, IV, pp. 285-7
R.J. Johnson, 1883, The Black Gate, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, IX, pp. 53-56, 241
JBAA, 1920, Discovery at Newcastle Keep (contents of well), New Series, XXVI, p. 226
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1910 re-restoration of chimney buttress on south wall of keep, 3, IV, pp. 10-11
B. Harbottle, 1969, South Curtain Wall, Excavation report
W.H.D. Longstaffe, 1865, The South Postern of the Castle, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, VI, p. 126
R. Fraser, 1982, An Excavation in the 'Garrison Room' of the Castle Keep...1981, Council British Archaeology 3, Archaeological Newsbulletin, 2nd series, no. 16, April 1982, pp. 12-13; Rob Kirkup, 2009, Ghostly Tyne and Wear, pages 34-46; Gordon Rutter, 2009, Paranormal Newcastle; Grace McCombie, 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead - Pevsner Architectural Guide, p. 62-67; Nigel Green, 2009, Tough Times & Grisly Crimes, page 16; Barbara Harbottle, 2009, The Medieval Archaeology of Newcastle in Diana Newton and AJ Pollard (eds), 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead before 1700, pages 23, 26; Liz Humble, 2007, The Heart of the City Conservation Management Plan; CP Graves and DH Heslop, 2013, Newcastle upon Tyne - The Eye of the North, An Archaeological Assessment, pp 105-107; JAA Goodall, 2004, The Great Tower of Carlisle Castle in Carlisle and Cumbria: Roman and Medieval Architecture, Art and Archaeology, Brit Archaeol Ass Conf Trans 27, pp 39-62; J Harvey, 1984, English Mediaeval Architects, p 202; C Constable, 2003, Aspects of the Archaeology of the Castle in the North of England c1066-1216, PhD thesis Durham University, pp 142-61; PJ Dixon, 1996, Design in castle-building: the controlling of access to the Lord, Chateau Gaillard, 18, pp 23-42; R Allen Brown, 2003, Royal castle-building in England 1154-1216 in R Liddiard (ed), Anglo-Norman Castles, pp 133-78; R Eales, 2003, Castles and Politics in England 1215-1224 in R Liddiard (ed), Anglo Norman Castles, p 368; JC Holt, 1961, The Northerners: A study in the Reign of King John, pp 200-1 and 241-50; NCAS, 2017, Ice House, The Keep - Archaeological Excavation
F. Grose, 1783, Antiquities of England and Wales, IV, 63-69
J. Brand, 1789, Newcastle I, 143-77
W. Scott, 1814, The Border Antiquities, I, 4-10
Society of Antiquaries of London, 1835, Vetusta Monumenta, V, plates X-XVIII
Newcastle Library Local Studies- John Bell Collection
Illustration Northumberland Records Office- 1844 - ZAN M13 E16
J. Collingwood Bruce, 1847, Black Gate
J. Ventress, 1848, The Castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, a scrapbook
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1857, Black Gate 1, I, 40-1, 43, 57-9, 69, 90, 171, 173, 192-3, 233
W.H.D. Longstaffe, 1860, The New Castle upon Tyne, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, IV, 45-139
Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1883, Remnants of Old Newcastle-upon-Tyne II
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1884, Black Gate 2, I, 3-4, 19, 25, 39-40, 44, 62-3, 90-1, 97, 193-4, 360
W.H. Knowles & J.R. Boyle, 1890, Vestiges of Old Newcastle and Gateshead, 40-85
G. Irving, 1895, Curtain by Dog Leap Stairs Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, VI, 73
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1899, Repairs to keep, 2, VIII, 94
C.J. Bates, 1901, Castle, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, IX, 115-30
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1902, SW corner of bailey, 2, X, 136
J. Ventress, 1902, Curtain by Dog Leap Stairs, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, X, 169-70
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1904, Illustration, Doorway in wall on west side of Castle Garth, 3, I, 36-7
R.O. Heslop, 1904,...structural features of the...keep, of the castle of Newcastle... Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, XXV, 91-105
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Repairs to Black Gate, 3, II, 196, 227-8
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Black Gate, 3, II, 19, 225
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Castle, 3, II, 258-9
Excavation report, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1906, Castle hall 3, II, 333
W.H. Knowles, 1906, Heron Pit etc. Excavation report, Archaeologia Aeliana, 3, II, xii, xxiv-xxvi
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1908, Castle hall 3, III, 34
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1908, Black Gate, 3, IV, xvii
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1910, Doc. Refs. for repairs to castle 1336-94 3, IV, 177-9
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1911, Repairs to keep, 3, VII, xv-xvi
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1912, Misc. docs. 3, V, 42-3
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1912, Repairs to keep ,3, V, 151
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1916, Keep 3, VII, 25-6
P. Brewis, 1916, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Castle, 3, VII, 116-8
J. Bell, 1916, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Repairs to keep, 1848, 3, VII, 239
J. Bell, 1918, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Repairs to keep, 1848, 3, VIII, 79-80, 82-4
Excavation report, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1920, Well in keep, 3, IX, 262-4
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1920, Visit of 1829, 3, IX, 300
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1922, Visit of 1829, 3, X, 12
W.H. Knowles, 1926, The Castle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, II, 1-51
North of England Excavation Committee, 1928, South curtain wall, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, III, 243-4
H.L. Honeyman, 1930, A Neglected Relic, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, IV, 41-3
North of England Excavation Committee, 1930, Medieval bronze pattern, 3, 3-4 -Archaeology Library Newcastle University
North of England Excavation Committee, 1932, East curtain wall 4, 8-9 -Archaeolgy Library Newcastle University
J. Charlton, 1932, Excavations near the Moot Hall in 1931,Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, V, 228-33
R.A. Brown, H.M. Colvin & A.J. Taylor, 1963, The History of the King's Works -
B. Harbottle, 1966, Excavations at the South Curtain Wall of the Castle,...1960, -61, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XLIV, 79-145
B. Harbottle, 1974, Excavation and Survey in Newcastle upon Tyne 1972-1973, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, II, 57-89
B. Harbottle, 1977, The Castle of Newcastle upon Tyne 01-Aug
B. Harbottle, & M. Ellison, 1981, An Excavation in the Castle Ditch, Newcastle upon Tyne 1974-76, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, IX, 75-250
Chateau-Gaillard & B. Harbottle, 1982, The castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, IX-X, 407-18
B. Harbottle, M. Ellison, J. Nolan, Excavation report, misc.
Photo, Newcastle Library Local Studies, The castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, keep, Black Gate
R. Fraser, 1981, Excavation report, Garrison room in keep
L. Donel, 1983, Excavation report, Chapel in keep
J. Gibson, 1884, Masons' Marks from the Castle of Newcastle, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, I, 119-20 and pl.
C.H.H. Blair, 1944, The Early Castles of Northumberland, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XXII, 122-27
J. Hodgson, 1822, Calendars of the Prisoners confined in the High Castle...1628 & 1629, Archaeologia Aeliana, 1, I, 149-63
Archaeological Journal, 1847, Re-restoration of keep, particularly chapel, IV, pp. 82, 262-4, 365
Archaeologia Aeliana, 1859, An Abstract...of the title of...Lord Ravensworth to the Old Castle.. 2, III, pp. 42-44
J. Hodgson Hinde, 1855, Castle Rents anciently payable to the Castle of Newcastle, Archaeologia Aeliana, 1, IV, pp. 285-7
R.J. Johnson, 1883, The Black Gate, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, IX, pp. 53-56, 241
JBAA, 1920, Discovery at Newcastle Keep (contents of well), New Series, XXVI, p. 226
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1910 re-restoration of chimney buttress on south wall of keep, 3, IV, pp. 10-11
B. Harbottle, 1969, South Curtain Wall, Excavation report
W.H.D. Longstaffe, 1865, The South Postern of the Castle, Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, VI, p. 126
R. Fraser, 1982, An Excavation in the 'Garrison Room' of the Castle Keep...1981, Council British Archaeology 3, Archaeological Newsbulletin, 2nd series, no. 16, April 1982, pp. 12-13; Rob Kirkup, 2009, Ghostly Tyne and Wear, pages 34-46; Gordon Rutter, 2009, Paranormal Newcastle; Grace McCombie, 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead - Pevsner Architectural Guide, p. 62-67; Nigel Green, 2009, Tough Times & Grisly Crimes, page 16; Barbara Harbottle, 2009, The Medieval Archaeology of Newcastle in Diana Newton and AJ Pollard (eds), 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead before 1700, pages 23, 26; Liz Humble, 2007, The Heart of the City Conservation Management Plan; CP Graves and DH Heslop, 2013, Newcastle upon Tyne - The Eye of the North, An Archaeological Assessment, pp 105-107; JAA Goodall, 2004, The Great Tower of Carlisle Castle in Carlisle and Cumbria: Roman and Medieval Architecture, Art and Archaeology, Brit Archaeol Ass Conf Trans 27, pp 39-62; J Harvey, 1984, English Mediaeval Architects, p 202; C Constable, 2003, Aspects of the Archaeology of the Castle in the North of England c1066-1216, PhD thesis Durham University, pp 142-61; PJ Dixon, 1996, Design in castle-building: the controlling of access to the Lord, Chateau Gaillard, 18, pp 23-42; R Allen Brown, 2003, Royal castle-building in England 1154-1216 in R Liddiard (ed), Anglo-Norman Castles, pp 133-78; R Eales, 2003, Castles and Politics in England 1215-1224 in R Liddiard (ed), Anglo Norman Castles, p 368; JC Holt, 1961, The Northerners: A study in the Reign of King John, pp 200-1 and 241-50; NCAS, 2017, Ice House, The Keep - Archaeological Excavation