an inconsiderable village in Northumberland, on the sea coast, 14 miles north of Alnwick, was once a royal borough, and sent two members to parliament: it even gave name to a large tract extending southward, which was called Bamboroughshire. It had also three religious foundations; a house of friars preachers founded by Henry III., a cell of canons regular of St Austin, and a hospital. Its very ancient castle stands on an almost perpendicular rock close to the sea, and accessible only on the south-east side, on a spot where, according to the monkish historians, there stood the castle or palace of the kings of Northumberland; built, as it is said, by King Ida, who began his reign about the year 559. Part of the present ruins are by some supposed to be the remains of King Ida's work. The ancient name of this place was, it is said, Bamborough; which name Camden, from the authority of Bede, imagines borrowed from Bebba, Ida's queen; but the author of the additions to that writer is of a contrary opinion, as in the Saxon copy it is called Cynelcanberg, or the "royal manion." According to Florilegus, King Ida at first fenced it only with a wooden enclosure, but afterwards surrounded it with a wall. It is thus described by Roger Hoveden, who wrote in the year 1192: "Bebba is a very strong city, but not exceeding large; containing not more than two or three acres of ground. It has but one hollow entrance into it, which is admirably raised by steps. On the top of the hill stands a fair church; and in the western point is a well curiously adorned, and of sweet clean water." This castle was besieged anno 642 by Penda, the Pagan king of the Mercians, who, as the story goes, attempted to burn it: for which purpose he laid vast quantities of wood under the walls, and set fire to it as soon as the wind was favourable; but no sooner was it kindled, than by the prayers of St Adian, the wind changed and carried the flames into his camp, so that he was obliged to raise the siege. In 710, King Offred, on the death of Alfred his father, took shelter in this castle with Britthric his tutor or guardian; one Edulph having seized the crown, by whom, with his partizans, they were unsuccessfully besieged. Britthric made so gallant a defence, that the siege was turned into a blockade, which gave the loyal subjects time to arm in defence of their young king. On their marching hither to his relief, Edulph fled; but was followed, taken, and put to death by Britthric, who thereby securely seated Offred on the throne, when this castle became his palace. In the reign of Egbert, Kenulph bishop of Lindisfarne was confined here 30 years from 750 to 780. In 933, it was plundered and totally ruined by the Danes; but being of great importance in defending the northern parts against the continual incursions of the Scots, it was soon after repaired, and made a place of considerable strength. It is said to have been in good repair at the time of the Conquest, when it was probably put into the custody of some trusty Norman, and had in all likelihood some additions made to its works; and this is the more probable, as the present area, contained within its walls, measures upwards of 80 acres, instead of three, as when described by Hoveden. About the year 1095 it was in possession of Robert de Mowbray earl of Northumberland, who engaging in some treasonable practices against William Rufus, that king laid siege to it, and obliged it to surrender. In the next reign it was intrusted by Henry I. to Luitace Fitz-John, who was dispossessed of it and his other employments by King Stephen, that king being jealous of his attachment to Maud, daughter of Henry I. Irritated at this, Fitz-John delivered the castle of Alnwick to David king of Scotland, and brought to his aid all the forces he could raise; he was, however, afterward reconciled to King Stephen, and held the manors of Burg and Knaresborough in Yorkshire, but never recovered the government of this castle.

In the 16th of Henry II. some great repairs seem to have been done here, as in Madox's history of the exchequer, under the article of Amercements, it appears one William, son of Waldef, was fined five marks for refusing his assistance in the king's works at Baenburg castle.