Barnard Castle f185

Sketch by engraver and topographical draughtsman Samuel Buck of the main street of Barnard Castle in County Durham The street is Thorngate, which leads to the market place. On the right hand side are long thin strips called burgesses plots, which now have housing. In the distance is St Mary's Church, facing the site of the castle, which by the 18th century had been demolished. The town's name comes from its medieval castle which was built in c.1125-1140 by a Norman, Bernard Baliol. Daniel Defoe visited here in the early 18th century and commented 'Tis an antient town, and pretty well built, but not large'.