Newcastle - The Black Gate

Built between 1247 and 1250 during the reign of King Henry III, the Black Gate was the last addition to the medieval Castle defences. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I Listed Building it was the gatehouse of the barbican, a walled, defensive entrance passage leading to the Castle's North Gate. The gatehouse could be sealed by a portcullis . Mounted in vertical grooves in the walls that are still visible today it could be raised or lowered quickly by means of chains or ropes attached to an internal winch. The narrowness of the barbican passage and its angle to the rest of the Castle wall meant that attackers were restricted in their means of attack, and were left exposed to fire from the Castle's defenders.

At the front and rear of the original gate were turning bridges. Both have since been replaced with wooden footbridges. These bridges could be closed quickly using counterweights.

The Black Gate housed a portcullis and two turning bridges. These protected the main entrance to the castle in case of attack.