Viewed from the west bank of the River Trent Newark Castle looks very impressive, but if you cross the river and enter the park that surrounds the castle you discover that the walls are just a facade. Only one and a half sides of the castle remain, but that does include the oldest part of the castle, a large gatehouse. The castle was built in 1133 by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, and it remained a seat of the Bishops of Lincoln until 1547 when King Henry VIII took it for the Crown. During the Civil War the castle became an important Royalist garrison, holding out against three long sieges in 1643, 1644 and 1646. On 5 May 1646 King Charles I was captured at nearby Southwell and ordered Newark to surrender. The Parliamentarians then destroyed the castle.
The walls of this once mighty fortress which stands on the east bank of the river Trent are only a remnant of what was once here. The fortress built by Alexander the Magnificent Bishop of Lincoln, served not only as a residence, but also as a stronghold, prison and administration centre. It was a symbol of rank and power.
King John visited Newark Castle at least six times and in the year AD1216 died here, most probably in the chapel in the Gatehouse. The ruined walls have served as a sentinel guarding the western approach to Newark on Trent. The battlements of the castle have suffered bombardment from stone throwing devices and later, during the Civil War, from cannon shot. Newark Castle not only has a fascinating history but also has interesting architectural features which alone make it well worthy of a visit.
The Gilstrap Centre is a Grade II listed former library building in the grounds of Newark Castle. The centre houses the tourist information centre, the museum services’ permanent exhibition, ‘Castle and Conflict’, and a temporary exhibition space. The Gilstrap Centre is administered by the Gilstrap Knight Charitable Trust, of which NSDC are the trustees. |
