A Timeline of Alnwick Castle's History

Alnwick Castle was built in the 11th Century to control and protect the border, symbolising status and power for the new Norman barons across the country.

In the early 12th century, Alnwick Castle was caught up in the conflict between England and Scotland. Just 30km from the border, it was besieged by William the Lion, the King of Scotland,  in both 1172 and 1174. 

William was captured during the second attack and forced to pledge loyalty to King Henry II.

In the early 14th century, Henry Percy moved into Alnwick Castle. He would spend the next 40 years converting it into a mighty border fortress. Adding towers, watching posts and a hidden back gate for emergencies.

At the centre of the castle, they added two large octagonal towers to make the gateway stronger. They also placed stone figures on top of the walls. A tactic to trick attackers by making the castle look more heavily defended.

Learn more about the Percy family and their role in the history of Alnwick Castle.

By the mid-to-late 1400s, an impressive ‘barbican’ stood as the first line of defense. Serving as Alnwick Castle's main entrance up until the 1700s.

Records show that it was updated in the late 1400s, with the 4th Earl of Northumberland adding his badge over the entrance in 1475. The Earl also strengthened the Barbican to handle the latest military tactics. Especially after Scottish raids earlier in the century...

During the 1500s, Alnwick Castle had fallen into disrepair, and it was considered too weak to withstand attacks or gunfire.

To help strengthen it, the 7th Earl of Northumberland hired George Clarkson to survey the castle and his northern properties. Clarkson noted that some parts of the castle were in poor condition, including the Ravine Tower that was so damaged it eventually collapsed in the 1600s.

The castle fell into further disrepair in the 1600s as Civil war raged through Britain.

In 1776, King George III elevated the Percy family from earls to a dukedom, and during this period, they chose to restore Alnwick Castle from an old military fortress into a grand, decorative palace.

Famous architects of the time, Daniel Garrett, James Paine, and Robert Adam, redesigned the castle in the Gothic style. Lancelot “Capability” Brown was commissioned by the First Duke of Northumberland to redesign the beautiful gardens and build weirs on the River Aln to create a more serene and picturesque setting. 

The 4th Duke of Northumberland, Algernon Percy (born in 1792), disliked the ‘fairytale gothic’ style his ancestors had instilled on Alnwick Castle. Employing the architect Anthony Salvin to restore Alnwick Castle’s medieval border fortress appearance. 

For the state apartments, however, Algernon embraced the latest technology of the Victorian age, giving his rooms the lavish style of an Italianate palazzo. You can visit the State Rooms to see them in person (including the 14,000 books in the Alnwick Castle library).

During the First World War, 112 of Alnwick Castle’s staff and family members went to fight. 

As a result, much of the castle was left empty, with unused areas were repurposed as education spaces. From 1945 to 1977, they housed Alnwick Teacher Training College, and from 1981, they  provided accommodation and classrooms for St. Cloud State University of Minnesota.

Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, inherited Alnwick Castle in 1995. Since then, he and his family have continued to share their home with visitors from across the world.

Over the past few years, the Duke has overseen an extensive programme of conservation to preserve Alnwick Castle as a beautiful place for everyone who visits. 

It now draws thousands of film fans, history lovers, and family groups to its impressive walls every year.