The castle where King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter

In 1349, King Edward III assisted the Countess of Salisbury with her garter at Wark on Tweed Castle, also known as Carham Castle. This personal moment led to the founding of the Order of the Garter. The castle, a ruined motte-and-bailey structure in Northumberland, was originally built by Walter Espec in 1136 and destroyed by the Scots in 1138, before being rebuilt between 1157 and 1161.

By the early 13th century, an octagonal keep was constructed on the motte, alongside towers and a gatehouse. By 1518, the donjon had been finished to accommodate great cannons on each vaulted floor, which could be hoisted up through an internal well. From the top of the keep, a watchman could see Norham and the outskirts of Berwick. The castle served as a vital border fortification, featuring three wards and various earthwork defenses.

The castle faced constant pressure from Scottish forces, notably in 1522 when an army of 2,000 men attempted to cross the Tweed. Though the Scottish guns battered the walls, the garrison repulsed the invaders. In 1545, an Italian military engineer, Archangelo Arcano, was sent to advise on repairs for the leaking roofs and fallen curtain walls. Today, the ruins remain as a Grade II* listed archaeological site, preserving centuries of military history on the border.

During the 16th century, the castle continued to play a role in border relations. James VI of Scotland passed by on the other side of the Tweed in 1588, and the castle's cannon saluted the rebel Earl of Bothwell in 1594. In 1604, the inhabitants of Berwick requested smaller cannons removed from the ruins to defend their own town and harbour.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons