To these two was born, probably within the castle, John
Baliol II, who was destined to become for a short time Scotland's
king. Edward, their grandson, also became King of Scotland as
a vassal of Edward 111. But Scotland's crown was dearly attained
and uneasy to wear. It brought disaster to the house of Baliol
and the loss of most of its possessions, including Barnard Castle,
though Bernard Baliol's name will, we hope, long survive to
remind us of one of the most powerful families that held sway
in this land after the Norman Conquest.
In the 15th century yet another possessor of the Castle attained
a crown: the crown of England. Richard, Duke of Gloucester,
spent much of his time in Middleham and in Barnard Castle.
He did much to enrich the town before his wicked deeds sullied
the good name he held before ambition for power led him to
assume the title of Richard III.
Before this, the castle had come into the possession of Richard
Neville, " Warwick, the King-maker " through his wife, Anne,
heiress of the Earl of Warwick whose family held Barnard Castle.
Their daughter, Anne ultimately married Richard, Duke of
Gloucester and through this marriage Richard acquired the
former Baliol estate and castle.
After Richard's death on Bosworth Field in 1485 Barnard Castle was reverted to Anne,
widow of the " King-maker " and she conveyed it to Henry VII
From that time until the reign of Charles 1 the castle remained a
royal if neglected possession.
But Barnard Castle's association with the British throne did
not cease with Charles I for, as a young girl, our Queen Elizabeth,
then Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, frequently stayed at her ancestral
home of Streatlam Castle nearby and made her purchases in the
shops of this small country town.
