Medieval Castles
Castles have dominated the land for centuries. King Alfred built burhs to hold back the Vikings. King William I built stone strongholds to subdue the English. These are ancient structures offering protection, power and dominance for those tucked safely behind their walls.
Barnard Castle A Favourite of Richard III
Barnard Castle sits high above the River Tees in Northumbria. The location is perfectly situated with steep cliffs either side. The River Tees flows to the west, and there used to be a Roman road leading to a ford in the river to the north. It was these important factors that led Guy de Baliol, an Anglo-Picard baron of King William II, to build Barnard Castle in timber around 1095.