6S Rev. P. Mearns on Wark Castle. 



■which was very disastrous to both parties ; but the results were 

 more in favour of the Scotch. It was preceded by a comet, 

 and the deplorable results confirmed the prevailing opinion 

 of the period, that calamitous events ever attended these re- 

 markable stars. No mention is made of the castle, for it was 

 not then built. 



The first castle of Wark was erected by Walter Espec, who 

 acquired the parish of Carham by a grant from Henry I., 

 whose reign extended from 1100 to 1135. The precise year 

 of the erection is unknown ; but it was probably towards the 

 close of this period. It is distinctly stated by Richard of 

 Hexham, a contemporary waiter, that the castle was built by 

 Walter Espec. Carham and Wark are mentioned as belong- 

 ing to him, in the '' Carta Fundationis Prioratus de Kirk- 

 ham," of which the date is circa 1132, and for a copy of which 

 I am indebted to Mr Robert Home of Berwick. The original 

 is among the archives belonging to the Duke of Rutland, but 

 it is quoted in Dugdale's Monasticon. I quote the words 

 relating to Carham and Wark, ^' Walterus Espec et Adelina 

 uxor ejus dederunt Deo et ecclesiee S. Trinitatis de Kirkham 

 et canonicis ibidem Deo servientibus consensu Henrici Regis 

 Anglorum, &c., in liberam et perpetuam elemosinam — in 

 Northumberland totam villam de Carram super Tweedam 

 fluvium et ecclesiam ejusdem villse . . et unam Mansuram in 

 Werch," &c. 



The castle was taken by David I. in 1135, but restored to 

 England in the beginning of 1136. In the end of the fol- 

 lowing year, David attempted to retake it, but was foiled. 

 In the beginning of the following year, Stephen, who had 

 usurped the crown, and was then acknowledged king of Eng- 

 land, came to Wark with a numerous army, and, after ravag- 

 ing the east of Berwickshire, returned to the south. After 

 the retreat of Stephen, David besieged and took Norham, and 

 was much annoyed during the siege by hostile acts committed 

 by the garrison at Wark. After the fall of Norham, he laid 

 siege to Wark, but failed to take it ; and it was reduced only 

 by a lengthened blockade. It remained in possession of Scot- 

 land till 1157, when it was restored to England, and rebuilt 

 by the crown, during the four following years, at great ex- 

 pense. At that time the barony of Wark extended from Car- 

 ham to Warkworth. 



The town and castle of Wark were destroyed by fire, in 

 1216, by King John of England. Wark was honoured by 

 the presence of royalty in 1255, when Henry III. resided here 



