Bamburgh Castle
This is the probable site of Sir Lancelot's famous castle of Joyous Garde, where he once gave refuge to Tristan and Iseult, and where he himself retired to escape the rumours of his liaison with Arthur's Queen.
In 547 it became the capital of the Northumbrian 'Kingdom' of the Angles who had settled there in the early part of the sixth century; as such, it would have been a stronghold of the Saxon alliance, who were Arthur's prime enemies in his fight to maintain British rule.
Warkworth Castle
Warkworth Castle originated as a mid 12th century motte castle. However, in the 13th century a new castle was begun with the construction of a gatehouse. Located at the centre of the south curtain wall, the gatehouse has survived with an archway and semi-octagonal projections on either side, although it does not stand to full height.
