Etal Castle
Etal Castle is a ruined medieval fortification in the village of Etal, Northumberland, England. It was built around 1341 by Robert Manners, and comprised a residential tower, a gatehouse and a corner tower, protected by a curtain wall. The castle was involved both in local feuding and the border wars between England and Scotland. There was a battle between the rival Manners and Heron families outside the walls in 1428, and in 1513 it was briefly captured by King James IV of Scotland during his invasion of England.
The castle passed into the hands of the Crown in 1547 and was garrisoned as part of the border defences, but fell into disrepair and was abandoned as a military fortification after 1603. In the 18th century it ceased to be used as a domestic dwelling and became ruinous. In the 21st century the castle is owned by the Joicey family, but managed by English Heritage. Open to the public, it is protected under UK law as an ancient monument and a Grade I listed building.
History
Etal
Coordinates: 55°38′53″N 2°07′12″W / 55.648°N 2.120°W / 55.648; -2.120
Etal (/ˈiːtəl/ EE-təl) is a small village in the far north of the county of Northumberland, England which shares a parish with nearby Ford. It lies on a bridging point of the River Till ten miles south west of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and can boast the substantial ruins of a medieval castle currently owned by English Heritage. It has just one residential street, and has a population of less than fifty.
Buildings
The village is centred on a now ruined castle, which over the years has seen much conflict between England and Scotland. The large majority of the buildings in the village are traditional and are owned by Ford & Etal Estates. Also there is Northumberland's only thatched pub (The Black Bull) and next door is the village hall. Hiding discreetly behind the magnificent Lavender Tearooms and a few more 'picture postcard' houses is an expansive walled garden. Used extensively by the late Lady Joicey for the training of dressage horses, it is now used intermittently for Icelandic Horse events and features a grass oval track.
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