 |
|
|
 | | | |  |
Harry Hotspur - Home grown hero of Alnwick |
 |
Bloodshed, kidnap, ransom and even witchcraft and wizardry - Alnwick has been the scene of many a drama, even one that made it to the big screen!
Home to more than one famous Harry, Alnwick Castle provided the exterior to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films.
But spells, potions and broomstick-flying antics, pale into insignificance when you take a closer look at the castle's dramatic history.
There has been a castle of sorts on this site in Northumberland since the 11th Century. Alnwick began life as a Motte and Bailey castle. The Motte- a large mound of earth, and the surrounding bailey, are features that can still be identified in the castle today.
Norman Gilbert Tyson, William the Conqueror's standard-bearer, set up the first residence at Alnwick. An error of judgement on Tyson's part, however, found him on the wrong side of a rebellion in 1095 and consequently he lost possession of Alnwick.
The site then fell into the hands of Yvo de Vescy, who erected the first permanent building at Alnwick. Alnwick remained in the Vescy family until 1297 when William de Vescy died leaving no legitimate heir.
In 1309, the Bishop of Durham, who had been placed in charge of the castle, sold Alnwick and its estates to Henry Percy - head of one of the most powerful families in England. It was the Percy family, in particular Henry Percy - nicknamed Harry Hotspur for his speed and skill in battle - that put Alnwick castle and his namesake tower, 'Hotspur's Seat', firmly on the map.
|
 Print this page |
|
Interact is your section. Join in the community - send in your own articles, chat, and tell us what the word 'heritage' means in your part of the country.
Go To Interact > |
| | |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| The 大象传媒 is not responsible for the content of external Web sites. |
| | | |
| | |
| |
|
