newcastle town wall newcastle town wall medieval defensive wall scheduled ancient monument newcastle england built 13th 14th centuries helped protect town attack occupation times conflict approximately kilometres long metres thick metres high main gates close gate gate gate sand gate seventeen towers smaller turrets gates town wall kept good repair whilst threat invasion scottish armies town successfully defended occasions decline border wars england scotland wall allowed deteriorate english civil war scots able breach wall mines artillery century wall obsolete town redeveloped large sections demolished leaving parts standing substantial remains western city construction town wall constructed 13th 14th centuries repel scottish invaders newcastle kilometres river marks border england scotland time power struggle england scotland eventually led wars scottish independence scottish kings ready advantage weakness english rule invade example david scotland took advantage civil war stephen invade northumberland successive years treaty durham son henry given northumberland newcastle included grant scots ignored clause occupied newcastle town strong castle built improved henry_ii provide sufficient protection local merchants properties decided fortified town wall needed special tax levied borough pay construction latin wall levied assumed construction began soon date payment continued years construction probably finished century plans route wall changed somewhat construction original plan castle included wall castle set high ground river bank strong objections route miss area river principal lived leaving residences protection route changed wall turned southward tower ran river similar adjustment route east city village formally incorporated city wall sharp turn east skirt reached river wall ran westward river separating town wall pierced number water gates allowed access river loading unloading ships ordered gates closed night prevent servants throwing rubbish river left open allow seamen return ships watched night completed wall approximately kilometres long metres thick metres high main seventeen towers smaller turrets gates towers projected walls attackers trying scale walls exposed fire sides towers walls gates provided institutions hospital mary virgin access property outside walls walls complete supplemented outer ditch known king ditch metres wide metres deep completed subsequent history town wall kept good repair whilst threat invasion scots scotland invaded northumberland laid siege newcastle success scottish army earl douglas assaulted town repulsed border wars england scotland frequent particular following union crowns wall allowed deteriorate english civil war scottish armies able invade newcastle despite presence town wall governor wall repaired repairs carried rebellions substantially strengthened preparation invading army attacks occasions long decline began wall demolished way new developments create better access town centre repairs wall early 19th century napoleonic wars thought town longer needed defensive barrier wall demolished stretch regarded great obstacle carriages business section pulled sand gate followed gates main wall clockwise western end close gate gate situated end close street ran west parallel river early times close principal residence wealthy traders town lined merchants houses backing river believed town wall ran short distance eastwards river close gate north close gate tower section wall near scottish forces general broke siege wall use mines artillery fire close gate demolished gate led followed line old large oak gates iron doors described strong time prison later hall incorporated company prisoners held civil war managed escape demolished new gate gate heavy fortifications town condemned prisoners taken town east west wings constructed respectively north gate later added considered poor state repair insecure new built demolition new gate began june east wing pulled followed west wing north gate oldest structure remained standing despite opposition removed following september believed replaced earlier gateway known gate gate north end led pilgrims use gate travelling mary chapel situated overlooking room entrance demolished gate gate led northeast village folding iron gates hall demolished sand gate gate led east town demolished gates closed night walls today large amounts wall demolished 18th 19th centuries substantial remains western city longest continuous section runs length area includes towers tower tower tower venue poetry readings northern end section wall cut remains churchyard opposite southern end cuts bath lane outer ditch recreated wall complete section wall includes stretches southeast ending close road walls road andrew street known west walls near river partially demolished section wall visible steep bank close 1840s 1980s covered warehouses substantial portion wall stands north street adjacent excavated foundations gunner tower seen eastern city stand towers tower street corner tower junction city road melbourne street tower tower street modified 17th century added upper storey new western facade 18th century altered addition hall floor walls scheduled ancient monument
Newcastle town wall