Resource

The gatehouse and barbican at Alnwick Castle with an account of the recent discoveries by By W. H . Knowles. from Archaeologia Aeliana Series 3. Vol 5, p. 286 (1909).

The ancient castle of Alnwick is situated on rising- ground on the south hank of the river Ain. One of the best views of it is to be obtained from the opposite bank of the river a little to the east of Abbey cottage, from which point the grouping of the buildings is diversified, imposing and effective, though stern in character. The structure appears suited both to its important position on the restless northern border, and to the illustrious and powerful house of Percy with which it is associated. It is five miles from the mouth of the river, and could thereby, in case of need, receive provisions and assistance like other settlements similarly placed. It occupies a strong natural position, protected on the north by the river, on the south and east by the Bow-burn (a stream which used to run through a deep ravine between the castle and the town still evident, though considerably filled in during the eighteenth century), and on the west by an artificial ditch.