REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1900 205 



At the time Duke Algernon was engaged in restoring the 

 Castle, in 1854, the Eecord Tower was in a very dilapidated 

 condition. The Duke, while fully recognising this, did not 

 feel that immediate steps were then necessary towards its 

 renovation ; and so the Tower was allowed to stand till 1880, 

 when, under the careful supervision of the late Duke, it was 

 successfully restored. 



Near the Record Tower is the site of the ancient Ravine 

 Tower, which was demolished during the eighteenth century. 

 In all probability this tower was no higher than the battlements 

 of the wall, and served as a " Watch Tower." In removing 

 some plaster from the curtain wall a short time ago, the 

 workmen came upon two windows with cusped headings, 

 and both had on either side the usual stone seats that were 

 then used for military purposes. They now appear as recesses 

 on the inner side of the wall, with their bases at the 

 height of 5 feet from the ground. 



Closely adjoining the Ravine Tower, and overlooking a 

 charming landscape to the north of the town, is a small 

 open turret known as " Hotspur's Chair," close to which is 

 a patch of modern masonry in the wall, marking the site of 

 a breach, which tradition alleges to have been caused by 

 a body of Scots, who were all slain in their unsuccessful 

 attempt to storm the stronghold. 



Thirty paces, according to Clarkson, intervened between 

 the Ravine Tower and the Constable's Tower, of which the 

 "nether part then served as a buttrj^ ; the other parts were 

 used as fair lodgings." In regard to position, style, and 

 effect, this Tower is one of the finest and most interesting 

 in the whole range ; its bold architectural features and the 

 detailed work of its doors, windows, and vaultings, finely 

 exemplify the work of the eai;ly Edwardian period. Masons' 

 marks upon some of the masonry of this building show it 

 to be contemporaneous with that of portions of the castles 

 of Dunstanburgh and Warkworth. 



The next Tower on the curtain wall is the Postern, which, 

 like several of the others, is three stories in height. In the 

 sixteenth century this tower was thoroughly repaired by the 

 seventh Earl of Northumberland, who added a lead covering 

 to the roof ; although durin^^ the Norman times this Tower 



