Alnwick town walls
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| Alnwick town walls | |
|---|---|
| Alnwick, Northumberland | |
 | |
  Alnwick town walls | |
| Coordinates | 55°24′44″N 1°42′11″W / 55.4123°N 1.703°W |
| Grid reference | grid reference NU188132 |
| Type | City wall |
Alnwick's town walls are a 15th-century defensive structure built around the town of Alnwick in England.
Alnwick's town walls were built in the 15th century following a period of considerable border instability and raiding that had caused significant damage to Alnwick's economy.[1] Henry VI permitted the town to charge murage on selected imports to Alnwick in 1434 and, using these taxes, protective walls with four gates were built in stone over a period of around fifty years.[2] The local Percy family controlled the neighbouring Alnwick Castle and the Bondgate Tower was decorated with their lion crest - an unusual feature for town gates of this period which normally celebrated civic, rather than local noble, identities.[3]
The surviving sections include the 15th century Bondgate Tower[4] and Pottergate (which was rebuilt in the 18th century).[5] Both are scheduled monuments and Grade I listed buildings.