Cherie's Place

The site of Tynemouth Castle an Priory is rich in history:

The dramatic headland at Tynemouth is a natural fortress commanding the entrance to the river Tyne, the gateway to Newcastle. Connected to the mainland only by a narrow neck of rock and defined by tall cliffs, Tynemouth headland was virtually unassailable before the development of modern guns and has been occupied intermittently, as both a stronghold and a place of worship, for more that 2.000 years.

Remains of an Iron Age settlement have been discovered here but the first written record of occupation dates from the eighth century, when a monastic community was established. its wooden buildings were destroyed during the Viking invasions of the ninth and tenth centuries. The medieval ruins visible today belong to a second monastery, Tynemouth Priory, founded in the late 11th century and dedicated to St Oswine (d.651), whose body was preserved here in a rich shrine. King Henry VIII suppressed the priory in 1539 but the church nave remained in parish use until the late 17th century.

Because of its strategic value in protecting the mouth of the Tyne, the headland was fortified until the 1950s. A gatehouse, which still exists, was built as part of the defence in the 14th century. Over the centuries, the defences were adapted and added to – a barracks, governor’s house and a spectacular lighthouse were all built in the 17th century. These later bulidings have now gone, although 19th- and 20th century gun emplacements remain, a lasting reminder of the military importance of Tynemouth.*

* Information from the English Heritage Tynemouth Priory and Castle handbook.

Tags: English Heritage, History, The Collingwood Memorial, Tynemouth, Tynemouth Castle, Tynemouth Priory, Vacation