Photographs of Newcastle Castle

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After the 1080 rebellion against the Normans, Robert, eldest son of William the Conqueror, erected a castle. The `New Castle' was built of earth and timber and was situated on a defended plateau overlooking the River Tyne (where the Roman fort had been). The town soon became known as Novum Castellum or New Castle.
In 1172 during the reign of King Henry II the castle at Newcastle was rebuilt in stone by Mauricius Caementarius (architect of Dover Castle Keep and Rochester Castle) and most of the stonework of the present keep still dates from this period. Hedingham Castle, in Essex, is a similar interior design.
Later in about 1250 a barbican was added to the castle called the Black Gate which still exists. The Blackgate was converted into a house in 1618 by the addition of a roof and windows. During the 16th to the 18th century the keep was used as a prison. In 1809 Newcastle Corporation bought the keep and provided it with a roof and battlements, making it look much as it does today. It is now a museum.