- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 1296 · 13th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- England, United Kingdom
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 54.9914°, -1.9994°
History
The land above the Tyne valley was bought in 1293–1295 by Hugh de Raymes, a wealthy Suffolk merchant, and his son Robert, who fought in Scotland and probably at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, replaced the timber hall with a stone house. At first it had no defences, but in 1305 Robert obtained a royal licence to crenellate, and from 1311, as Scottish raids grew worse, he enclosed the house with walls. After the English defeat at Bannockburn, where Robert himself was captured, the garrison surrendered Aydon to the Scots in 1315; the raiders looted and burnt the house, and two years later English marauders plundered it again. Ruined by his ransom, Robert died in 1324, and his son rebuilt the defences. From the 15th century the estate changed hands often, and from the 17th century it served as a farmhouse until 1966, when it was opened to visitors.
What to see
The manor is cared for by English Heritage and opens in the summer season (it is closed in winter). Because it spent centuries as a working farmhouse it was little altered: the hall, chambers with original fireplaces, a medieval garderobe and the wall-walk survive. Beside the house is a walled orchard where visitors can picnic.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q1965841
Popularity: articles about this site in 12 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).