Welcome to Lancaster Castle or as it is generally known John O Gaunts Castle.

In part 1, we will take a trip back in time discovering the origins of the castle from the early Roman period to the present day.

You will discover how it went from a simple Roman fort to a grand bastion, and then converted to a prison. The make use of of which, has lasted for over 3 centuries.

The Castle has stood in various forms for over 900 decades with a history to match. I hope to give you a glimpse into its past life and invite you to further discover Lancaster Castle for yourselves.


Lancaster Castle stemmed from an original fort built by the Romans overlooking the town of Lancaster and the River Lune to help combat the invading forces of the Picts and Scots. Following the demise 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 building of the Norman Keep by Roger of Poitou.


The castle led a very turbulent and colourful life having a succession of owners. A total of 265 executions took place within her walls, as well as the infamous Pendle witch trials of 1612. A total of ten all the people were tried and convicted of witchcraft. If you were unlucky enough to be imprisoned within her walls from the later half of the 18th century onwards, you could have found yourself transported to the new found colony of Australia.


In 1399 Richard II seized the castle from the 2nd Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt after his death and claimed the castle in the name of the monarchy. When Henry IV ousted Richard in the identical year, the castle became part of the Duchy of Lancaster where it has remained ever since.


Henry undertook a massive rebuilding code which viewed the addition of a twin-towered gatehouse. The gatehouse consisted of two 20 metre high towers consisting of several floors with the top two being dived into a number of rooms. A Well Tower (which became understand as the Witchs Tower) was built during the 14th century and consisted of two deep wells and several underground dungeons. These dungeons went on to house all the people accused of witchcraft prior to their trial at Lancaster Castle during the reign of King James I in the 16th century.


In 1585, Elizabeth I rebuilt the upper storey of the 12th century Keep.


Extensive modifications were undertaken during the 18th century, converting the castle into a prison. The make use of of which, has lasted for over 3 centuries. Separate complexes we are built for female and male prisoners as well as a Wardens house.

This wide-ranging refurbishment script began in 1788 with the wardens house and cumulated in the prison for male inmates in 1796. The rooms of the gatehouse were converted in to prison cells which we are used to house debtors. These rooms we are quite relaxed and reserved for those debtors who still had a little funds left enabling them to live a relaxed life compared to others in the identical predicament. Prior to that they we are probably used and maintained by the Castles Constable. This was not the first measure the castle was used to house prisoners. A Reference to prisoners being held at the castle dates back to 1196.


The last major contruct code undertaken at Lancaster Castle was in 1821 when a new female prison was built to the develope of Joseph Gandy who had been trained by James Wyatt and had worked for John Nash.


In Pt2 we will find out about the infamous witch trials of 1612 and how you could have been transported to Australia during the later half of the 18th Century. You will learn about her Royal visitors and debtors prison.

I hope you have enjoyed this read and I look forward to your visit in Part 2.

Best Wishes and Have a Great Day


Stuart Bazga
www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com