 The
island is connected to the mainland by an ancient causeway and
is only accessible at low tide.
Holy Island derives its name from the priory of
St Aidan built in 635 but abandoned in 875 and the later Benedictine
monastery founded in 1082.
Despite the island's suitability as a coastal defence it
was not until 1542, five years after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, that the first
fortification was begun. The castle was built on the rocky craig using material from
the abandoned priory. Work was completed in 1550 and the castle was used to
defend the harbour of Holy Island against the Scots and their allies the French.
However, the only attack came in 1715
when the castle was briefly seized by the Stuarts.
In the early 19th century it fell into disuse and in 1819
the guns were removed. In 1902 the castle was bought by Edward Hudson, the founder
of Country Life, and he employed Sir Edwin Lutyens to restore and improve the
fortress.
After 1968 the castle was no longer inhabited and was taken
over by the National Trust. The Trust has preserved the castle as if it was
still lived in, creating an air of timelessness. |
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Lindisfarne
Castle
