Tynemouth Castle
Tynemouth Castle
HER Number
133
District
N Tyneside
Site Name
Tynemouth Castle
Place
Tynemouth
Map Sheet
NZ36NE
Class
Defence
Site Type: Broad
Castle
Site Type: Specific
Castle
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Form of Evidence
Ruined Building
Description
The medieval castle was of two phases: first, as a result of the 1296 licence to crenellate, the priory built an enclosing curtain and tower, fragments of which survive on the north side, and a 30 yard piece to full height to the south-west. Second, in the late 14th century (c.1390) Prior John Whethamstede built the gatehouse, presumably as a replacement. It consists of an oblong tower of three storeys (passage and guardrooms, great hall and great chamber), with a three storey block, including a kitchen, attached to its south-east corner, and a barbican in front. It has been assumed that there was once a ditch in front of the gatehouse beneath the barbican. SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT
Easting
437202
Northing
569394
Grid Reference
NZ437202569394
Sources
<< HER 133 >> R Waters & J Fittler in J Brand, 1789, Newcastle upon Tyne II, opp. p. 65;
E Mackenzie, 1825, Northumberland, II, opp. p. 43;
H H E Craster, 1907, Tynemouth Castle, Northumberland County History, VIII, pp. 150-157;
W H Knowles, 1910, The Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Oswin, Tynemouth, Northumberland, Archaeological Journal, LXVII, pp. 32-50;
R N Hadcock, 1986, Tynemouth Priory and Castle
E Mackenzie, 1825, Northumberland, II, opp. p. 43;
H H E Craster, 1907, Tynemouth Castle, Northumberland County History, VIII, pp. 150-157;
W H Knowles, 1910, The Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Oswin, Tynemouth, Northumberland, Archaeological Journal, LXVII, pp. 32-50;
R N Hadcock, 1986, Tynemouth Priory and Castle