Search results
Carlisle’s position on the border between England and Scotland made it a vital stronghold and border defence, and also vulnerable to crises in Anglo-Scots relations. In 1296 Edward I (r.1272–1307) made Carlisle his headquarters for three months in the early stages of his war against the Scots.
- Mary Queen of Scots
The following morning Richard Lowther, the deputy governor...
- Andrew Harclay
Carlisle Castle featured prominently in the triumphs and...
- Significance
For over 500 years from 1092, Carlisle was the main point of...
- Sources
A summary of primary and secondary sources for the study of...
- Research
This established a building chronology, confirmed the...
- Description of Carlisle Castle
These were first built in the 12th century and remodelled in...
- Mary Queen of Scots
These were first built in the 12th century and remodelled in the late 13th century for Edward I. From about 1806 these were demolished and replaced or substantially rebuilt. The southern corner of the inner ward is the site of the medieval Queen Mary’s Tower.
For over 500 years from 1092, Carlisle was the main point of defence on England’s north-west border. The city and castle were frequently involved in the politics and warfare of the two kingdoms, and Carlisle has been besieged ten times – more than any other place in the British Isles.
- Roman Carlisle
- Carlisle from The 5th Century to The 11th Century
- Carlisle in The Middle Ages
- Carlisle in The 16th Century and The 17th Century
- Carlisle in The 18th Century
- Carlisle in The 19th Century
- Carlisle in The 20th Century
- Carlisle in The 21st Century
Carlisle began as a Roman town called Luguvalium. The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD and about 78 AD the governor, Agricola, built a wooden fort on the site of Carlisle. Soon a civilian settlement grew up nearby. The soldiers in the fort provided a market for the townspeople’s goods. Roman Carlisle was called Luguvalium. In Roman Carlisle, there w...
Carlisle may not have been abandoned completely. There may have been some farmers living inside the walls and farming the land outside. However, it seems certain that Carlisle ceased to be a town, and all its Roman buildings fell into ruins. The Celts gave Carlisle its name. They called it Caer Luel, the fortified place belonging to Luel. St Cuthbe...
In the Middle Ages Carlisle was a small town with a population of perhaps 1,500-2,000. It would seem tiny to us but by the standards of the time, Carlisle was a fair-sized market town. However, Cumbria was a poor area of England with little trade and commerce in the region. However, Carlisle was strategically important because of its position near ...
In 1541 n closed the priory and the 2 friaries. He also rebuilt and strengthened the castle. Henry replaced the southern gate of Carlisle with a citadel with 2 towers. Like all Tudor towns, Carlisle suffered outbreaks of plague which decimated the population each time. There was a severe outbreak of plague in Carlisle in 1597. Even so, the populati...
In the mid-18th century, Carlisle was no more than a medium-sized market town with a population of about 4,000. However, the situation began to change in the late 18th century. Trade had always been limited in Carlisle because it was in a poor area of England. In 1745 the Jacobites under their leader Bonnie Prince Charlie marched south and after a ...
In 1801 the population of Carlisle was 9,555. By the standards of the time, it was quite a large town. Carlisle grew rapidly and by 1851 it had a population of over 25,000. Scottish and Irish immigrants swelled the population. The textile industry boomed in Carlisle in the early 19th century although many of the weavers lived in poverty. However, i...
By 1901 the population of Carlisle was over 45,000. In 1900 electric trams began to run in the streets of Carlisle. They were replaced by buses in 1931. Carlisle gained its first cinema in 1906. In 1912 the boundaries of Carlisle were extended to include Stanwix and Botcherby. In the 1920s and 1930s, Raffles Estate was built. In the early 20th cent...
On 8 January 2005 Carlisle suffered from severe floods. Much of the city center was submerged and 110,000 people had their power cut. Worse, 3 people died and millions of pounds worth of damage was done. Yet Carlisle recovered. Today Carlisle is a flourishing town. In 2023 the population of Carlisle was 108,000.
The castle was founded by William Rufus in 1092. More buildings were added during the 12th century. The keep was probably built between 1136 and 1153. Carlisle was the very last English fortress ever to suffer a siege. This took place during Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite Rising of 1745-6.
In 1296 Edward I made Carlisle Castle his base for his invasion of Scotland and transformed the inner ward in order to accommodate the royal court. In 1308, after Edward's death, a residential tower was erected.
People also ask
What happened to Carlisle in the 12th century?
When was Carlisle Castle occupied?
Why was Carlisle built?
What happened to Carlisle Castle?
Jun 5, 2021 · The site of Carlisle Castle was occupied as early as the 1st century AD, during the Roman period. In 72 AD, the Romans built a turf and timber fort at the site. The fort provided support for the garrisons on Hadrian’s Wall and provided a base for the Romans to launch their invasions of Scotland.
