Lapis Trip to Lancaster !

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Running various social media groups - I tend to share and like a lot of content so was delighted last year to discover the following 


Lancaster Walks, Talks & Tours principal guide is Gregory Wright. With a background in performing arts, and over twenty years experience in the world of tourism, Gregory provides informed historical narratives in an entertaining and memorable manner.
 Bespoke guided walks, illustrated talks and themed tours, exploring the rich history of the City of Lancaster and the surrounding district.

Well I just had to visit and managed to drag along fellow Lapis members Janet and Paul ...

 


Lancaster Castle  is a medieval castle in Lancaster in the English county of Lancashire . Its early history is unclear, but may have been founded in the 11th century on the site of a Roman fort overlooking a crossing of the River Lune . In 1164, the Honour of Lancaster including the castle, came under royal control. In 1322 and 1389 the Scots invaded England, progressing as far as Lancaster and damaging the castle. It was not to see military action again until the English Civil War.

The castle was first used as a prison in 1196 although this aspect became more important during the English Civil War. The castle buildings are owned by the Britsih sovereign as the Duke of Lancaster  which leases part of the structure to Lancashire County Council who operate a Crown Court in part of the building. 

Until 2011, the majority of the buildings were leased to the Ministry of Justice as Her Majesty's Prison Lancaster. The Castle was returned to the Duchy's ownership by the Ministry of Justice in 2011. The Castle is now open to the public seven days a week and is undergoing a large-scale refurbishment to allow access to more areas. 




In 79 AD, a roman fort was built at Lancaster on a hill commanding a crossing over the River Lune , Little is known about Lancaster between the end of the Roman occupation of England in the early 5th century and the Norman Conquest in the late 11th century. The layout of the town was influenced by the Roman fort and the associated civilian settlement; the main road through the town was the route that led east from the fort. After the Norman conquest in the second half of the 11th century, Lancaster was part of the Earldom of Northumbria it was claimed by the kings of England and Scotland. In 1092, William II established a permanent border with Scotland further to the north by capturing Carlisle . It is generally thought that Lancaster Castle was founded in the 1090s on the site of the Roman fort in a strategic location. The castle is the oldest standing building in Lancaster and one of the most important. The history of the structure is uncertain. This is partly due to its former use as a prison, which has prevented extensive archaeological investigation.




 I am not going to post about the content of the talk itself as I think you should visit and experience for yourself of course ! Below some more images from the tour...
















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