Editing Dunstanburgh Castle (section)

====Construction====

Dunstanburgh Castle was constructed by [[Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster]], between 1313 and 1322.<ref>{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|pp=27, 29}}</ref> Thomas was an immensely powerful English [[baron]], the second richest man in England after the King, with major land holdings across the kingdom.<ref name="Oswald 2006 17"/> He had a turbulent relationship with his cousin, King [[Edward II of England|Edward II]], and had been a ringleader in the capture and killing of Edward's [[royal favourite]], [[Piers Gaveston]], in 1312.<ref>{{harvnb|Prestwich|2003|pp=75–76}}</ref>

It is uncertain exactly why Thomas decided to build Dunstanburgh.<ref name="oswald92">{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=92}}</ref> Although it was located on a strong defensive site, it was some distance from the local settlements and other strategic sites of value.<ref name="oswald92"/> Thomas held some lands in Northumberland, but they were insignificant in comparison to his other estates in the [[Midlands]] and [[Yorkshire]], and until 1313 he had paid them little attention.<ref>{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=17}}; {{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=27}}; {{cite web | url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dunstanburgh-castle/history-and-research/research/ | title=Research on Dunstanburgh Castle|mode=cs2 |access-date=23 August 2014 | publisher=English Heritage}}</ref>

In the years following Gaveston's death, however, civil conflict in England rarely seemed far away, and it is currently believed that Thomas probably intended to create a secure retreat, a safe distance away from Edward's forces in the south.<ref>{{harvnb|Prestwich|2003|pp=76–79}}; {{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=25}}; {{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=93}}; {{cite web | url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dunstanburgh-castle/history-and-research/history/2-constructing-the-castle/ | title=Constructing the Castle at Dunstanburgh|mode=cs2 |access-date=23 August 2014 | publisher=English Heritage}}</ref> He also probably hoped to erect a prominent status symbol, illustrating his wealth and authority, and challenging that of the King.<ref>{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=25}}; {{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=93}}; {{cite web | url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dunstanburgh-castle/history-and-research/history/2-constructing-the-castle/ | title=Constructing the Castle at Dunstanburgh|mode=cs2 |access-date=23 August 2014 | publisher=English Heritage}}</ref> He may perhaps also have hoped to create a planned town alongside the castle, possibly intending to relocate the population of Embleton there.<ref name="oswald33">{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=33}}</ref>

Building work on the castle had commenced by May 1313, with labourers beginning to excavate the [[moat]] and starting to construct the castle buildings.<ref>{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|pp=17–18}}</ref> Some of the outer walls may have been built by workers from Embleton as part of their [[feudal]] dues to Thomas.<ref>{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=16}}</ref> The operations were overseen by a [[Stone mason|mason]], Master Elias, possibly Elias de Burton, who had been previously involved in the construction of [[Conwy Castle]] in [[North Wales]].<ref name="oswald18">{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=18}}</ref> Iron, [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] coal and Scandinavian wood was brought in for use in the project.<ref name="oswald27">{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=27}}</ref> By the end of the year £184 had been spent, and work continued for several years.<ref name="oswald18"/>{{refn|It is impossible to accurately compare 14th-century and modern prices or incomes. For comparison, £184 represents about a third of the yearly income of a typical nobleman such as [[Richard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton|Richard le Scrope]], whose lands brought in around £600 a year.<ref>{{harvnb|Given-Wilson|1996|p=157}}</ref>|group="nb"}} A [[licence to crenellate]] – a form of royal authorisation for a new castle –  was issued by Edward II in 1316, and a castle [[constable]] was appointed in 1319, charged with defending both the castle and the surrounding manors of Embleton and Stamford.<ref>{{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=18}}; {{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|2011|p=33}}</ref> By 1322 the castle was probably complete.<ref name="oswald18"/>

The resulting castle was huge, protected on one side by the sea cliffs, with a stone [[curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]], a massive [[gatehouse]], and six towers around the outside. A harbour was built on the south side of the fortress, enabling access from the sea. Northumbria was a lawless region in this period, suffering from the activities of thieves and ''schavaldours'', a type of border brigand, many of whom were members of Edward II's household, and the harbour may have represented a safer way to reach the castle than land routes.<ref>{{harvnb|King|2003|pp=115, 128}}; {{harvnb|Oswald|Ashbee|Porteous|Huntley|2006|p=97}}</ref>