A Brief History of Bamburgh

Bamburgh lies on the North East Coast of England, but this wasn't always the case. In Neolithic times, it is thought that the sea level was much lower than it is today and the current coastline was well inland.

Evidence of neolithic nomads has been found in the area of Bamburgh in the shape of tools. It is thought that people soon settled to farm the fertile lands of the area including a period of deforestation during the Bronze Age.

Ida's Invasion

No-one seems entirely sure about how Ida the Flamebearer arrived in Bamburgh (also known as Din Guaroy). It is thought that there were Angles employed by the Roman's towards the end of their habitation of Britain to guard Hadrian's Wall, and some arrived by boat, but between them they set up the Kingdom of Bernicia. Ida was definitely one of the first rulers, if not the founder of the kingdom and he set up his capital in Bamburgh.

By the time of their reign of his grandson, Æthelfrith, Bernicia had grown away from the coast to envelop the land between the Forth and the Tees. Æthelfrith was married to Bebba, and he renamed the Capital of his kingdom Bebbanburgh in her honour. This name developed in to the name we know today.

The Owner of Bamburgh Castle