Roger de Merlay

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Morpeth Castle Morpeth, Northumberland

Morpeth Castle Location in Northumberland Coordinates 55.164°N 1.686°W Coordinates : 55.164°N 1.686°W Grid reference NZ201855 Morpeth Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building at Morpeth, Northumberland, in northeast England. It has been restored by the Landmark Trust and is now available as a holiday rental home. History The original motte and bailey dating from the 11th century was built on a hill overlooking the River Wansbeck and destroyed by King John in 1216. A new castle was built in the bailey of the original in the 1340s, but little of that structure survives apart from parts of the curtain wall and the much-altered gatehouse. In 1516 Margaret, sister of Henry VIII and widow of James IV of Scotland, stayed for four months in Morpeth Castle as she fled from her enemies in Scotland and sought refuge with her brother. The one great military event in the castle's history was in 1644 when a garrison of 500 Lowland Scots held it for Parliament for 20 days against 2,700 Royalists. The castle was held by and passed by the female line through several illustrious families; de Merlay, Greystoke, Dacre and Howard, none of whom resided there for any long period. In about 1860 the gatehouse was restored and converted to provide a staff residence. Recent History The Castle was rented on a long-term arrangement to the Landmark Trust in 1988 which undertook a complete refurbishment in 1990, restoring many of the gatehouse's original historic features and removing the modern extensions and swimming pool. The gatehouse is now available to rent from the Landmark Trust as holiday accommodation.

References "The Landmark Trust website" . Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2010. "Morpeth Castle" . Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015. The David and Charles Book of Castles Plantagenet Somerset Fry 1980 ISBN 0-7153-7976-3 Images of Morpeth Castle www.findagrave.com

Roger de Merlay
BIRTH 1173
Morpeth, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England
DEATH 1239 (aged 65–66)
Morpeth, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England
BURIAL
Newminster Abbey
Morpeth, Northumberland Unitary Authority, Northumberland, England
MEMORIAL ID 144418710

Family Members
Parents
Roger De Merlay
1140–1188

Alice de Stuteville
1144–1202

Spouse
Ada MacDuff
1198 – unknown

Siblings
Agnes De Merlay Gobion

Children
Roger de Merlay
1228–1265