OS grid reference NT822388 | ||
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Address B6350, Cornhill-on-Tweed TD12 4RG, UK Similar Elsdon Castle, Cartington Castle, Cresswell Castle - Northumberland, Dally Castle, Halton Castle - Northumberland | ||
Wark on Tweed Castle, sometimes referred to as Carham Castle is a ruined motte-and-bailey castle at the West end of Wark on Tweed in Northumberland.
History
The castle, which was built by Walter Espec in 1136, was destroyed by the Scots following a siege in 1138 and then re-built between 1157 and 1161. An octagonal keep was built on the motte in the early 13th century at roughly the same time that the towers and gatehouse were added. It was here that in 1349 King Edward III bent down and assisted the "Countess of Salisbury" (either Edward's future daughter-in-law Joan of Kent or her former mother-in-law, Catherine Montagu, Countess of Salisbury) with her garter and, in honour of that moment, subsequently founded the Order of the Garter. The castle was demolished in 1549.