The Black Gate was originally built by Henry III in 1247-1250 as a fortified entrance
to the castle. It contains two semi circular guard rooms divided by the gateway passage
across a drawbridge over a moat. Sublet as a public House in 1618, the building now
serves as a museum for use by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne.

St. Nicholas Church was built in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries on the reputed site
of the church of St Nicholas founded by St Osmond in1091. The prominent lantern tower
was constructed in the fifteenth century and is supported on flying buttresses.
The interior was constructed largely around the mid fourteenth century, though this was
partially changed when the church attained the status of a cathedral in1882 following
Newcastle becoming a city.

 

Painting size 395mm x 295mm, 2003.