Berwick-Castle

Berwick Castle

Little is left of what was once one of the most important of the Border castles. Almost all that was standing of the fortress was destroyed over a century ago to make way for the Railway Station. The Great Hall of the Castle in which Edward I in 1292 declared in favour of Baliol as king of Scotland corresponds with the present station platform.

The castle has witnessed many stirring events in Border history, changing hands on more than one occasion, its history being closely linked with the fortified town of Berwick. In 1377 it was seized by seven intrepid Borderers who slew the governor, Sir Robert Boynton. They were joined by fortyone more confederates and held out for eight days against 10,000 English soldiers. Their heroism was not respected by their enemies since on surrendering the castle they were all put to the sword.

After the Union of the two kingdoms the castle decayed. In 1762 it is described as follows: "It is environed on one side by the ditch of the town; on the other by one of the same breadth, flanked by many round towers and thick walls, which enclose a large palace, in the middle of which rises a lofty keep or donjon, capable of a long resistance, and commanding all the environs of the town The remains of the castle which survive are the White Wall and a flight of steps nearby which lead down to the Water Tower.