Alnwick Castle was founded as a Norman motte and bailey castle in the late 11th century (ca.1070). It was an important military castle due to the wars with Scotland and the fortifications and size were increased over a period of 300 years until by 1370 it was essentially the size and layout seen today.

The Percy family purchased the Castle and Estates in 1309 and have therefore owned the estates for almost 700 years.

The sixth Earl, Henry, was brought up as a page boy to Cardinal Woolsey and in the court of Henry VIII fell in love with Anne Boleyn but had to give way to the monarch who wished to marry her. However, after her execution her prayer book was obtained and is in the archives at Alnwick Castle.

The Earls of Northumberland had chequered careers with several being executed for various reasons. The 9th Earl, Henry, took dinner with his Constable on the eve of 4th November 1605, but it was subsequently discovered that his Constable, Thomas, was a member of the “Gunpowder Plot” and although believed to be innocent the Earl was considered guilty by association and was imprisoned in the Tower of London for 16 years. Coincidentally, he died on 5th November 1632.

After the battle of Dunbar in September 1650 six thousand prisoners were lodged for one night in the Inner Bailey at Alnwick Castle. Many died on their forced march south.

The eleventh Earl, Hugh, (who became 1st Duke) and his Duchess, Elizabeth, were responsible for the start of the restoration work at the castle.

They used the services of a local landscape artist Capability Brown to modify the lands around the castle to the magnificent vista you see today. The 4th Duke, Hugh, continued the restorations, building a magnificent new library and chapel within the grounds.

Neither of these refurbishments has significantly changed the external aspect of the castle. When viewed from the north and east, it remains a huge mediaeval castle set in a magnificent location.

The current residents of the castle are His Grace Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland, Her Grace Jane the 12th Duchess, and their four children Katie, George, Melissa and Max. Alnwick Castle is the second largest residential castle in Britain, the largest being Windsor Castle.

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