Warkworth Castle North East England

A son of King David I of Scotland built the first castle at Warkworth in the 12th century.  Shortly afterwards it was taken by Henry II when he took control of Northumberland. Edward I stayed here during the wars with Scotland.  Besieged by the Scots in 1327 it was given by Edward III to Henry de Percy II, Lord of Alnwick. 

Henry de Percy IV, first Earl of Northumberland built the keep we see today in in the 14th century.  Percy didn’t sit quietly at Warkworth though; he involved himself in deposing Richard II and then later turned again Henry IV in the rebellion of 1403. His son Henry Hotspur died in the battle of Shrewsbury fighting against the King Henry IV the Earl was killed in battle a few years later. 

The Percy’s lands were forfeit to the crown.  Henry IV granted Warkworth to his son John, Duke of Bedford.  Henry V returned the lands to the Percy’s granting the castle to Hotspur’s son.  Trouble soon returned to the Percy’s when the Earl and his son were killed during the Wars of the Roses, having remained loyal to the house of Lancaster.

Warkworth once again returned to the crown and was granted by Edward IV to John Neville, later Earl of Northumberland and Marquess Montague.  He built the tower at Warkworth in the southeast corner.

At Warkworth the keep really is the heart of the castle.  Its remains are more substantial; its perfect block stone shows its importance in comparison to the rest of the castles buildings.  Built at the end of the 14th century, it is a remarkable survival.

It is worth mentioning that Warkworth also has a hermitage about a mile walk from the castle.  To my knowledge it is a unique survival, carved out of bedrock and accessed by boat across the River Coquet.  Established in the 14th century probably by the Earl.  It may have originally been a private chapel and it is unlikely to have had a resident hermit.