A. Sutherland – MessageToEagle.com – Dunstanburgh Castle was once one of the largest and most imposing fortresses located over the Northumberland coastal line, in a remote headland and in close proximity to the Anglo-Scottish border.
Medieval castles were usually built to be as defensive as possible and the naturally strong defensive location of Dunstanburgh Castle – with the north side defended by high cliffs – was certainly a wise choice made by its builder.
The castle was built between 1313 and 1322, by one of England’s key magnates, Thomas Plantagenet, Second Earl of Lancaster, who strongly opposed his cousin King Edward II and was involved in diverse political activities in England.
The castle, located far away from the King of England and political instability in southern England, was intended to Thomas’ secure refuge, a symbol of his opposition to the king than as a military stronghold.
Thomas Lancaster led two rebellions against Edward. The first, in 1310, resulted in Parliament imposing restraints on Edward’s profligate spending and the imposition of a supervisory council, which Thomas headed.
In 1321, he again headed a revolt. This time, he and his supporters were defeated. Thomas was found guilty of treason and executed in 1322.
In the 1380s, the castle was further fortified, but it was besieged with cannon fire multiple times during the Wars of the Roses and finally, after these devastating experiences, fell into ruin.
Except for its ruined gatehouse, today, there is not much left of the fortress, but there is plenty of legends, myths, and stories including the story of Sir Guy the Seeker: a knight cursed to roam the fortress forever. Different versions of the story vary slightly in their details, but typically involve a knight, Sir Guy, arriving at Dunstanburgh Castle, where he was met by a wizard and led inside.
There he comes across a noble lady imprisoned inside a crystal tomb and guarded by a sleeping army. The wizard offers Guy a choice of either a sword or a hunting horn to help free the lady; he incorrectly chooses the horn, which wakes the sleeping knights. Sir Guy finds himself outside Dunstanburgh Castle and spends the rest of his life attempting to find a way back inside.
It is unclear when the story first emerged, but it is undoubtedly related to Dunstanburgh Castle and as many other similar tales, it was possibly inspired by medieval Arthurian legends.
Another very persistent legend has it that beneath Dunstanburgh Castle, there are a lot of hidden passageways connecting the castle with nearby hamlets and villages. The passages can be reached through trap-doors and barns.
The castle is the largest in Northumberland and the site shows traces of much earlier occupation before the erection of the castle was started in 1313 by the Earl of Lancaster.
Written by – A. Sutherland – MessageToEagle.com Senior Staff Writer
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