Welcome to Lancaster Castle or as it is commonly known John O 'Gaunt's Castle. In Part 1, we will make a trip back in time to discover the origins of the castle of the early Roman period to the present day.
Lancaster Castle is a result of strong original built by the Romans, which dominates the city of Lancaster and the River Lune to help combat the invading forces of the Picts and Scots. After the fall of the Roman Empire in Britain during the 5th century, Lancaster fell into decline and it was not until the Norman Conquest that the present castle took on a more solid structure with the construction of the Norman keep by Roger of Poitou.
The castle has led an eventful and colorful life with a succession of owners. A total of 265 executions took place within its walls, as well as the infamous Pendle witch trials 1612. A total of ten people were tried and convicted of witchcraft. If you were unlucky enough to be imprisoned in her cell during the second half of the 18th century onwards, you could have found to carry the new colony found in Australia.
In 1399 Richard II seized the castle of the second Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt after his death and claimed the castle in the name of the monarchy. When Henry IV Richard hunted in the same year, the castle became part of the Duchy of Lancaster, where she has remained ever since.
Henry has started a massive rebuilding program which saw the addition of a gatehouse with two towers. The guard consisted of two towers 20 feet high consisting of several floors with the first two which are surrounded by a number of rooms. A Well Tower (which became known as the Witch's Tower) was built during the 14th century and consists of two deep wells and numerous underground dungeon. These dungeons went home to people accused of witchcraft, before they try to Lancaster Castle during the reign of King James I in the 16th century.
In 1585, Elizabeth I rebuilt the top floor of the 12th century Keep.
extensive changes were made during the 18th century, turning the castle into a prison. The use of which has lasted for over three centuries. separate complexes were constructed for female prisoners and male as well as a house Warden. This comprehensive renovation program started in 1788 with the caretaker's house and accumulated in the prison for male prisoners in 1796.
The rooms of the gatehouse were converted into prison cells that have been used to house debtors. These rooms are very comfortable and reserved for those debtors that they could lay their hands on a bit 'of money, allowing them to live a comfortable life compared to others in the same situation. Before they were probably used and maintained by Constable Castelli. This was not the first time the castle was used to house prisoners. A reference to the prisoners held at the castle dates back to 1196.
The last major program of building undertaken at Lancaster Castle was in 1821 when a new female prison was built to the design of Joseph Gandy who had been trained by James Wyatt and had worked for John Nash.
In Pt2 you will discover the infamous witch trials of 1612 and how it could have been transported to Australia during the second half of the 18th century. You will learn to know his real visitors and debtors' prison.
I hope you enjoyed reading this and I look forward to your visit in Part 2.
Greeting
Stuart Bazga
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