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Bewcastle. Grid ref 86: NY 566747
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n 1092 Cumberland was annexed from Scotland by King William II of England, who
built castles along the border to protect it. These were at Carlisle, Brough, and
Bewcastle. Since 1066 when the Normans landed, the adaptation of Roman Forts into castles
was much favoured, as there was a ready supply of building stone. Here at Bewcastle was a
Roman Fort, with a deep and wide ditch.
he Castle was destoyed in 1173. The Castle that we see today was built between
1361 and 1371 by John de Strivelyn, one of the King's generals. It was some 27 metres
square, with buildings on all but the west side grouped around a small courtyard. The
entrance had above it a large stone carved with de Strivelyn's coat-of-arms. This stone
disappeared about 1823, and is now built into the wall of the barn of Demesne Farm, where
it can still be seen. The castle was abandoned about 1401, when the occupants were taken
prisoner by the Scots.
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he Castle has had other owners and restorations since, but in1604 was reported
as being in much decay. In 1900 it was sold as part of Demesne Farm, and in 1968 the
Castle was sold to a London property company with intentions of selling parts of it to
Americans. This project failed, and the Castle continues to decay, with no-one now owning
it.
he castle is on private land within Demesne Farm, but permission to view from
a nearby path may be obtained from the farm, who also supply a leaflet describing the
history of the Castle.
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