Carlisle Castle

Carlisle Castle was founded in the 11th century near the Anglo-Scottish border.

Layout and architecture

Carlisle Castle sits at the northern end of the settlement after which it is named, with its main entrance situated in the south wall, looking through the centre of town. The castle is an irregular shape, the oldest parts of which date to the 12th century. The outer walls which mark the extent of Carlisle Castle date from this period. A stone wall divides the castle into two parts known as 'baileys'. The outer bailey, through which all visitors would pass, was remodelled in the 19th century and contains modern military buildings. The inner bailey, occupying the eastern tip of the castle, is the medieval core of Carlisle Castle, with a large 12th century great tower, but like the outer bailey it too has modern buildings, in this case acting as storerooms and housing the Regimental museum. In the easternmost corner of the inner bailey used to stand Queen Mary's Tower; it was built in 1308 and is named after Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned at Carlisle Castle.

Though Carlisle Castle was built over part of a Roman fort, the remains do not seem to have stringly influence the layout of the castle. This contrasts with castles such as Portchester or Pevensey where the medieval structures were inserted into Roman forts, exploiting substantial stone remains.