Image ID: 07532

Newark Castle across the River Trent

Courtesy of Antoine

River Trent, next to Beastmarket Hill
Newark on Trent
England

Newark Castle dates from the 12th century, but if you look closely at the picture you will see that it is largely a ruin. The river frontage (seen here) may look largely intact, but behind there is very little left. But it wasn��t destroyed by canon fire or invading forces; the castle was actually dismantled, stone by stone, by the townsfolk themselves! This is how it came about: The castle had been a key component in defending the town in the English Civil War in the 17th century. Newark was a Royalist (��Cavalier��) stronghold, loyal to the King - Charles the First. The opposing forces of Parliament (��Roundheads��) encircled the town in a successful blockade (or siege) and when Newark was forced to surrender in May 1646 the victorious Parliamentarians instructed that the castle be demolished so that it could never again form a military stronghold. The townsfolk began the task of demolition, but after a 6-month siege, plague broke out and worked stopped �� and was never completed. And that is why Newark still has a castle today �� or, at least, part of a castle.

Date: 1930

Organisation Reference: NCCE001338

Organisation: