Alnwick town walls explained

Alnwick town walls
Location:Alnwick, Northumberland
Map Type:Northumberland
Coordinates:55.4123°N -1.703°W
Map Size:200
Type:City wall

Alnwick's town walls are a 15th-century defensive structure built around the town of Alnwick in England.

History

Alnwick's town walls were built in the 15th century following a period of considerable border instability and raiding that had caused significant damage to Alnwick's economy.[1] Henry VI permitted the town to charge murage on selected imports to Alnwick in 1434 and, using these taxes, protective walls with four gates were built in stone over a period of around fifty years.[2] The local Percy family controlled the neighbouring Alnwick Castle and the Bondgate Tower was decorated with their lion crest - an unusual feature for town gates of this period which normally celebrated civic, rather than local noble, identities.[3]

The surviving sections include the 15th century Bondgate Tower[4] and Pottergate (which was rebuilt in the 18th century).[5] Both are scheduled monuments and Grade I listed buildings.

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Pettifer, p.172; Creighton and Higham, p.87.
  2. Pettifer, p.172; Creighton and Higham, p.269.
  3. Creighton and Higham, p.141.
  4. 55.4127°N -1.7037°W
  5. 55.415°N -1.7108°W