Even so far back as the time of Stephen, Wark or Carrum
was considered one of the strongest castles on the English
border, and is the second of the five noted places enumerated
by Ridpath, (Border History, p. 76,) as having been taken by
David the First of Scotland, in 1135.
“Carrum,” says Richard of Hexham, “is by the English
called Wark.” After two other close and protracted sieges,
in 1138, it was at last taken and demolished, but not until
the garrison had been reduced to the necessity of killing and
salting their horses for food. They were allowed to depart,
retaining their arms; and such was the Scottish King's admiration
of their heroic resistance, that he presented them
with twenty-four horses in lieu of those that had been thus
destroyed.
Being afterwards rebuilt, Wark Castle was again besieged in
the reign of Henry the Eighth; and Buchanan, the historian
and poet, himself an eyewitness, gives a description of it as it
then stood. In the inmost area was a tower of great strength
and height, encircled by two walls, the outer of which included
a large space, wherein, in times of danger, the inhabitants of
the neighbourhood found shelter for themselves and cattle.
The inner was strongly fortified by ditches and towers. It was
provided with a garrison, stores of artillery and ammunition,
and all things necessary for protracted defence.
The castle of Wark is now so entirely gone, that it is with
some difficulty that even the lines of its ancient fortifications
can be traced.
