Just three or four miles from the Flodden battle fields, Etal Castle was built in the mid-14th century by Robert Manners as a defence against Scots raiders, in a strategic position by a ford over the River Till. It fell to James IV’s invading Scots army in 1513, immediately before their catastrophic defeat at nearby Flodden. An award-winning exhibition tells the story of Flodden, and the Anglo-Scottish border warfare which ended with the accession of James VI of Scotland (James I of England) in 1603.
As we approach the castle we encounter the Gatehouse.
Nowadays we enter via an adjacent former church which houses the Flodden exhibition.
A fine display of aretfacts and information.
The exhibition is open daily, 1st April to 30th September 11am till 4pm.
English Heritage, admission £3.50.
The Gatehouse from within the courtyard. The castle formerly comprised a courtyard within four walls which included parapets with a tower at each corner. Today only one wall and two towers plus part of another survive.
Wall and Gatehouse from within the courtyard.
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