Durham Castle And Cathedral

Croitoru Alexandra Ioana

Class 9C
 SHORT INTRODUCTION
 Durham Castle is a Norman castle in
the city of Durham, England, which
has been occupied since 1837
by University College, Durham after
its previous role as the residence of
the Bishops of Durham. Designated
since 1986 as a cultural World
Heritage Site in England, along
with Durham Cathedral, the facility is
open to the general public to visit, but
only through guided tours, since it is
in use as a working building and is
home to over 100 students. The castle
stands on top of a hill above the River
Wear on Durham's peninsula,
opposite Durham Cathedral. 
 HISTORY
 The Construction of the Castle began in 1072
under the orders of William the Conqueror, six
years after the Norman conquest of England,
and soon after the Normans first came to the
North.
  The construction took place under the
supervision of Waltheof, until he rebelled
against William and was executed in 1076.
 Stone for the new buildings was cut from the
cliffs below the walls and moved up using
winches.
 There is also debate about whether or not
Durham Castle was originally a stone or a
wooden structure. Historic sources mention
that its keep (fortified tower) was built of
wood, but there is enough archaeological
evidence to indicate that even in the late 11th
century when it was first built, it had
numerous stone buildings.
 HISTORY
The castle has a large Great Hall, originally called
a Dining Hall, created by Bishop Antony Bek in
the early 14th century; Bishop Hatfield added a
wooden minstrels' gallery. Today, the Hall is 14
metres (46 ft) high and over 30 metres (98 ft)
long.
"In defensive terms, Durham Castle was of
strategic importance both to defend the
troublesome border with Scotland and to control
local English rebellions, which were common in
the years immediately following the Norman
Conquest, and led to the so-called Harrying of the
North by William the Conqueror in 1069. ... the
Castle was constructed 'to keep the bishop and his
household safe from the attacks of assailants'.
In May 1080, the castle was attacked for four days
by rebels from Northumbria and Bishop Walcher
(The holder of the office of the Bishop of
Durham) was killed.
 CHAPELS
 The Norman Chapel is the oldest
accessible part of the castle built about
1078. Its architecture is Anglian in
nature, possibly due to forced Anglian
labour being used to build it.
 In the 15th century, its three windows
were all but blocked up because of the
expanded keep.
  During the Second World War, it was
used as a command and observation
post for the Royal Air Force when its
original use was recognised. (The
cathedral was targeted for a 
Baedeker Blitz or bombing raid by
Germany but escaped because fog
rolled in and blocked the pilots' view.)
 The chapel was re-consecrated shortly
after the war and is still used for weekly
services by the college.
Although this 17th
century illustration
of Durham is
schematic, it shows
the way in which
the Castle defenses
covered the whole
of the Durham
Peninsula.
The inner and
outer baileys
and the motte can
clearly be seen.
 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

 The Castle remained

the bishop's palace for
the Bishop of
Durham until Auckland
Castle was made the bishops'
residence in 1832; the current
bishop still maintains offices at
that castle, roughly ten miles to
the south. Subsequently,
Durham castle was donated to
the University of Durham.
 The college did not occupy the
castle until 1837.
 The motto of the University
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

College is ‘NON NOBIS SOLUM’

and it means ‘not for ourselves
alone’.
 The number of students living in
the college is 1458, including the
300 students who live in and
around the Castle, and the Durham
Peninsula.
  Students have access to a range of
facilities to support learning and
the wider student
experience: College library, gyms,
laundry facilities, kitchenettes,
study spaces, practice rooms, and
more.
FUN FACTS
During the Medieval period, many kings and queens visited
Durham Castle including Edward I, Philippa of Hainault
Queen to King Edward III, Henry III, King John, Edward III
and Henry VI.
Bishop Flambard, who built the North Range of Durham
Castle was also the first person imprisoned in the Tower of
London and became the first person to escape the Tower in
1101, when he smuggled a rope into the Tower and escaped
after getting his guards drunk.
It is also a popular venue and tourist attraction, with many
private functions and bed and breakfast accommodation
available during University holidays.
QUESTIONS

When the construction of the castle began?

In which war was the chapel used by the royal air
force?
When did the college occupy the castle?
What is the number of students living in the college?

Thank you for your time and attention!

I hope you liked it!
Bibliography

https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/learn/architecture/castle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Castle
https://stories.durham.ac.uk/durham-castle-history/
https://www.dur.ac.uk/durham.castle/visit/location/