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Photo: Mike Quinn, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Substantial 13th-century mansion, retro-fitted as a defensive tower when the threat from Scotland grew. It withstood two assaults but was captured and wrecked in 1315. Later owners could only afford minor repairs and from the 17th century it was a farmhouse, but in the late 20th century it was restored by English Heritage.
Aydon Castle, previously sometimes called Aydon Hall, is a fortified manor house at Aydon near to the town of Corbridge, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and is designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.
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The first Roman fort here was built in 84 AD as they pushed north against the Picts. It burned down in 105 AD so a second was built, guarding the river crossing. In 122 AD Hadrian's Wall was built 3 miles north and Coria for a time was a barracks, then the troops were re-located along this largely peaceful frontier and it transitioned into a civilian town. It may have been occupied for a time by the Saxons after the Romans left, but they eventually settled on the site of the present town. You explore along the High Street, the Roman highway of Stanegate, with granaries, temples, workshops and markets. The museum holds a fascinating collection of artefacts, notably the lion grave-marker and a suit of Roman armour, but the finely-worked silver "Lanx" or tray is now in the British Museum.