Was awarded the status of a World Heritage Site in 1986. The Castle was created in the 11th Century[9] as a symbol of Norman power in the North. It offered protection to Durham and it’s Cathedral. Durham was the land of the Prince Bishops – a Palatinate. They needed a strong defensive base. “The Historia Regum, a literary work about the history of the English kings written in 1136, mentions that the Castle was constructed “to keep the bishop and his household safe from the attacks of assailants”. The residence / seat of the Bishops of Durham. The Bishop of Durham was appointed by the King to “exercise royal authority on his behalf.”

“In defensive terms, Durham Castle was of strategic importance both to defend the troublesome border with Scotland and to control local English rebellions, which were common in the years immediately following the Norman Conquest, and led to the so-called Harrying of the North by William the Conqueror in 1069.”

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www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/architecture/castle

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Hence the building of the castle, provided protection especially from the attention of Scottish invaders.

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In 1066 invading Scottish soldiers were defeated and subsequently decapitated, with their heads displayed on stakes.   It is reported by Terry Neary [Horrible Histories] that some of the good women of Durham offered to comb the hair of the decapitated heads, for a fee, from their Scottish relatives!

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Judges sitting at the Court of Assizes, trying capital cases often stayed at the Castle. Archive pictures include a Judge in ceremonial outfit leaving the Castle in a coach and fours with a police ‘escort’ of two police officers on push bikes!

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In 1837 the Castle was donated to the newly founded Durham University by the then Bishop and became Castle College and accommodated students.

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The Grey Lady is said to haunt the Castle.

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[9] Circa 1070