Tynemouth Castle

-1095 (The “Castle” Begins/Norman Rule)

A wooden stockade was built atop earthen ramparts on the site when William Rufus captured Earl Robert de Mowbray's castle at the Tyne River's mouth.

Politics of the time had had Tynemouth as a subordinate to St Albans' abbot; an ongoing conflict resulted in a loss of local jurisdiction, yet the Priory never stopped trying to regain it henceforth. 

-1296 (Fortification Granted)

Tynemouth Priory prospered and expanded through the 12th and 13th centuries. To safeguard against raids when the First Scottish Independence War began, Edward I granted the priors a licence to fortify the site.

The headland was reinforced with several towers, and stone walls were raised encircling the entire summit plain. 

-1314 (Castle Withstands Attack)

Following a Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce led an attack on the Priory. Yet the castle's fortifications proved effective, and a strong garrison successfully defended the site. Indeed, Tynemouth could now sufficiently deter invasion and concluded the war unharmed. 

-1349 (Enhancements)

Additional upgrades were carried out to the headland's fortifications, including Whitley Tower raised to overlook the north beach. By this time, the castle was noted as one of the border region's strongest fortresses. 

-1390 (Further Investments)

When Anglo-Scottish warfare again was on the rise, Richard II provided substantial financing to enhance Tynemouth. More money soon came from Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. 

Much of this funding went to building the gatehouse--its still-standing remains serve as a testimony to both its strength and the sophisticated architecture needed to defend the strategically important site effectively.

-1520 (Priory’s Independence Is Achieved)

With the help of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII's leading minister, the Priory obtained its long-sought independence from St. Albans; however, the King declared himself head of the English Church within a decade and began to pillage its estates. 

-1536 (Reformation & Refortification)

The King's commissioners pressed charges against the Prior and captured the headland, prompting an international uproar that led to a massive fortification effort for several defences along the coast, Tynemouth included. 

A stone-fronted earth bank replaced the landward curtain wall, the southern curtain was made to fit gun ports, and Spanish Battery was established overlooking the river's estuary. 

-1539 (Dissolution of the Monasteries)

The Priory's short-lived independence was cut down with the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and Tynemouth and its belongings were surrendered to Henry VIII; monastic life at Tynemouth ceased to exist from this point. 

-1544-1545 (Enhanced & Garrisoned for War)

Henry VIII tried to 'resolve' the long-standing disputes between England and Scotland by forcing a marriage between his son, Edward, and Mary Stuart, then infant, Queen of Scotland. To support this, he began making enhancements to Tynemouth's fortifications.

Within a year, a 1,000-man workforce had raised a fortified line from the gatehouse running south to a low hill, the Spanish Battery, which gave guns the ability to direct fire upon the river mouth. The new fortress henceforth garrisoned to ensure its economic value was protected. 

-1642 (Civil War)

Royalists fortified Tynemouth once the Civil War broke out, and the Spanish Battery was enhanced. 

-1644 (Castle Surrendered)

The Battle of Marston Moor had not favoured the Royalists, weakening their cause in the North, which led to the surrender of Tynemouth to Parliament.

-1648

Royalist forces had a fleeting occupation of the castle during the Second Civil War until Sir Arthur Hesilrige, Parliamentary military commander, defended the castle and gained control. However, much of the Priory was destroyed soon afterwards. 

-1670s (Parish Church & Lighthouse)

Tynemouth remained a military garrison following Charles II's Restoration, though its role was not as significant when Clifford's Fort was raised riverside. 

Its buildings were focused toward the former Priory's outer court, and governor Colonel Edward Villiers used materials from its demolished buildings to construct his house and new barracks. A master gunner's house was built as well, and the gatehouse lodged soldiers of the garrison. At this time, gunpowder was stored in the church, and by 1677, the site included a lighthouse. 

-1793

British involvement sparked Tynemouth's revival in the French Revolutionary War.

-1815

At the close of the Napoleonic War, the ordnance depot reformed the gun platforms. New barracks were also raised adjacent to the gatehouse, and a master gunner proceeded to maintain its equipment. 

-1859 (Guns Modernized)

Defences were improved again, including a 20-gun upgrade on the headland, a gunpowder magazine, stores, and barracks. 

-1880s (Re-Commissioned to Defence)

New piers at the river mouth obstructed Clifford's Fort, turning the responsibility of the river's defence once more to Tynemouth Castle and Spanish Battery.

-1893 (Upgraded and Repopulated)

New structures were raised for breech-loading guns and later supplied with five guns at the castle and more at the Spanish Battery. Concrete emplacements along the eastern edge of the headland protected the artillery, with control and command buildings set behind, and underground magazines provided ammunition.

Furthermore, the medieval gatehouse remained in use, and by the late-19th century, several new buildings had been added, and the castle was occupied by military forces.

-1936

Fire results in most of the newer buildings being removed. 

-1941-Present

The castle was a key component during WWII and was consequently subjected to multiple air raids. Military buildings filled the headland from 1945 and were utilised until the army finally evacuated in 1956. 

Portions of the emplacements were restored and are currently accessible for public viewing. The coastal defence includes a guardroom and the primary armoury, an area visitors can learn how skilled soldiers protected munitions and handled them safely. 

The site has since been purged of several military structures to display the remains as a historical monument.

Tynemouth later accommodated the Royal Coastguard, and Prince Charles built a coastguard station in 1980 that was utilised until 2001. Today, English Heritage manages the site as Tynemouth Castle and Priory.