Day 183/23. Dunstanburgh Castle

Built on the most magnificent scale, Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote headland in Northumberland.
Earl Thomas of Lancaster began the fortress in 1313, perhaps more as a symbol of his opposition to the king than as a military stronghold.
Unfortunately the earl's rebellion was defeated, and he was taken and executed in 1322. Thereafter the castle passed eventually to John of Gaunt, who strengthened it against the Scots by converting the great twin towered gatehouse into a keep.
The focus of fierce fighting during the Wars of the Roses, it was twice besieged and captured by Yorkist forces, but subsequently fell into decay.
A fabulous walk to the castle today along the rugged Northumberland Coast.