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Dunstan burgh Castle, Northumberland, England. Photo by Otter.

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh  Castle is a 14^th-century building in Northumberland, England. It sits between the towns of Craster and Embleton. It was built by Earl Thomas of Lancaster between 1313 and 1321.

The real reasons for its construction are speculated. It could have been for security and refuge purposes. Thomas and the then King Edward 2 had a bitter relationship. Thomas could have built it as a stronghold in case of need to run from the King.

 The castle could have been a show of the earl’s wealth and power.  Now left in ruins, it is an incredible site to visit. It is held by the National Trust. The English Heritage governs it.

1. The construction of Dunstanburgh Castle began in 1313

This was under the instruction of Earl Thomas of Lancaster. He was the second richest man in the kingdom after King Edward the second.

He was also considered the most powerful of the King’s subjects. The Castle could be correctly considered a statement of the earl’s wealth.

It is built in the middle of a medieval landscape. There were existing earthworks of a fort from the iron age. This gave the site an added advantage in terms of defense. It is surrounded by three artificial lakes.

2. Thomas of Lancaster supposedly built the Castle as a refuge stronghold from the King

The head of Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, is delivered to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford; and Edmund FitzAlan, 9th Earl of Arundel, for inspection. Photo by James William Edmund Doyle (1864). Wikimedia Commons.

Earl Thomas was cousin to King Edward 2. The two, however had an embittered relationship, especially after Thomas led a group of earls in executing the King’s favorite, Piers Gaveston. King Edward was thought to be weak and unfit for rule.

A majority of the barons rebelled against him. His reign was marred with internal strife and military failure. Thomas was the face of the opposition as head of the rebel barons. He could have built the castle as a refuge.

3. Its builder, Thomas, only visited it once

Thomas. 2nd Earl of Lancaster is led to his execution. Photo by James William Edmund Doyle (1864).

This was around 1319. Thomas was on his way to the siege of Berwick. On March 1322, Thomas and his men were headed to the Castle, escaping King Edward’s forces.

They sought to seek refuge at Dunstanburgh. This was after launching attacks against the King. King Edward was however able to counter and retain the situation, forcing Thomas and his team of barons to retreat.

Unfortunately for Thomas, he was ambushed by the King’s men near Boroughbridge. Unable to find a way back, they had to fight. 

Thomas was captured and taken to Pontefract castle. He was subjected to a humiliating trial and sentenced to death. He was beheaded in front of a jeering crowd.

Some of his followers were captured too and executed. He was praised as a hero  for standing up against King Edward’s oppressive and ineffective rule.

The castle devolved to the King.

4. Dunstanburgh Castle was once part of the Duchy of Lancaster

The Duchy of Lancaster offices, at 1 Lancaster Place, Strand, London WC2. Photo by GrindtXX.

The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate of the British Monarch, consisting of lands and property. It is a source of income for the sovereign. It is administered by the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

John of Gaunt acquired the castle in 1362 as Duke of Lancaster. He married Henry of Lancaster’s granddaughter.

The castle had been given back to Thomas’s family, through his brother Henry, in 1326. John of Gaunt inherited it. The dukedom of Lancaster however merged with the Crown in 1399, upon the death of John.

5. Most of its major modifications were made by John of Gaunt.

Having inherited it as Duchy of Lancaster in 1362, John of Gaunt was sensitive to his security. This was particularly after he narrowly escaped an attack during the Peasants’ revolt of 1381.

He had ordered John Lewyn, a renowned builder at the time, to build a wall. The 7-meter high, 1.3-meter thick wall separated his residence from the rest of the castle.

After the near attack, he had the wall fortified with a tower. A strong gateway was created, ensuring tight control of access to his chambers.

6. Dunstanburgh Castle was a stronghold during the War of Roses

This painting is of William Shakespeare’s version of the splitting of nobles into the factions of York and Lancaster, sparking the Wars of the Roses in 15th-century England. Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and his followers select the white rose, while the Duke of Somerset took the red. Photo by Henry Arthur Payne.

The War of Roses was a series of civil conflicts between the York and Lancaster factions during the 15^th century.

The two were fighting over control of the English throne. The castle served as a stronghold passing between the two factions several times during the war.

7. It served as an observation and defense post during the Second World War

Pillbox overlooking Embleton Bay, north of Dunstanburgh Castle A lozenge pillbox constructed using corrugated iron shuttering. The pillbox was constructed c1941-42 as part of the Northumberland coast defense. Photo by Phil Champion.

As the second world war began in 1939, there was an apparent threat of attack on the castle by the Germans. It was therefore fortified with trenches to keep off German tankers from access.

A minefield also was laid to prevent foot soldiers from advancing to the castle premises.  Pillboxes were installed at strategic points.

The surrounding beaches were shielded by barbed wire and trenches. A group of Royal Armored Cops served as observers, using the castle’s stone walls as a shield.

8. Dunstanburgh Castle is the subject of several local legends

Perhaps the most common one is that of Sir Guy the Seeker. According to legend, Sur Guy was a Knight who entered the Dunstanburgh Castle and found a noble lady held hostage by sleeping generals.

 A wizard told him to choose between a hunting horn and a sword to free the lady. The knight wrongly chose the horn and woke up the generals who chased him out.He spent his life trying to get back in.

Matthew Lewis wrote a poem titled Sir Guy the Seeker in 1808, based on the legend.

9. The Castle has inspired works of famous artists

Dunstanburgh Castle, sunrise after a squally night. Photo by J.M.W Turner.

Thomas Girtin, an English etcher and watercolorist in the 18^th century painted a picture of Dunstanburgh Castle. He concentrated on the winds and dark clouds surrounding the ruins.

His friend, JMW Turner followed, painting it in 1797. He also produced more works  in oil, watercolors, sketches, and etchings. The castle formed a big part of his works.

10. Dunstanburgh Castle ruins are a tourist site.

They are now in possession of the National Trust and governed by English Heritage. It is open to the public. Bordering the Northumberland coastline, the castle tower provides spectacular sea views.

The ruins of the great gatehouse still stand. The imposing Lilburn Tower offers beautiful views of the neighboring Bamburgh castle to the north.