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Carlisle Citadel


Speed's Map of Carlisle modified to highlight The Citadel

Carlisle Citadel or The Citadel is a former medieval fortress on English Street in Carlisle, Cumbria. It comprises two towers, both of which are Grade I listed buildings: the Nisi Prius Courthouse and the former Crown Court.

History

The citadel was commissioned by King Henry VIII to replace the medieval Botcher's gate, which was a gateway through the city walls. The new facility, which was designed by Stefan von Haschenperg as a medieval fortress, was completed in 1541. It ceased to be a fortress and became a prison in 1611. The Eastern Tower was modified to designs by Thomas Telford and Sir Robert Smirke and converted for use as a Nisi Prius Court (i.e. civil courts) in 1812. The Western Tower was completely rebuilt to designs by Thomas Telford and Sir Robert Smirke and converted for use as the Crown Court in 1822.

The citadel continued to be used as the local facility for dispensing justice but, following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1888, which established county councils in every county, it also became the offices and meeting place for Cumberland County Council. After amalgamation with Westmorland County Council in 1974, Cumbria County Council continued to use the facilities at the Citadel as offices. The County Council also occupied a series of Victorian houses on Portland Square, Brunswick Street and Alfred Street North in Carlisle as well as Lonsdale House in Lower Gaol Yard.

The citadel ceased to function as a judicial facility after the new Crown and County Courts Complex in Earl Street was completed in 1992. It also ceased to function as a municipal facility when, as a cost-saving measure, the County Council moved to a single facility, Cumbria House, in Botchergate in December 2016. The county council submitted proposals to the Government for funding to redevelop the Citadel area in April 2016 and published a plan to convert it into a campus for the University of Cumbria in May 2020.

Text from Wikipedia, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (accessed: 05/12/2020).
Visit the page: Carlisle Citadel for references and further details. You can contribute to this article on Wikipedia.
Carlisle City Walls English Street Historic Buildings and Monuments in Carlisle Grade I Listed
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The Citadel

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The Citadel

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Citadel Carlisle England

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The Citadel

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Carlisle Citadel

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Carlisle Citadel

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Carlisle Citadel's East Tower

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Carlisle's Citadel.

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Carlisle Citadel Plaque

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from https://historicengland.org.u…
NISI PRIUS COURTHOUSE, ASSOCIATED OFFICES AND GATE ARCH - Carlisle - List Entry
- "Formerly known as: The Citadel. Citadel, then Court House and Court Offices, now County Council Offices. 1542 by Stephen von Haschenperg with 1809-12 alterations and additions, by Thomas Telford and …

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Simon Cotterill
from https://historicengland.org.u…
CROWN COURT, ADJOINING OFFICES AND GATE ARCH - Carlisle - List Entry
- "Formerly known as: The Citadel. Crown Court and Court Offices on the site of the 1542 Citadel. 1810-17 (interior not completed until 1822) by Sir Robert Smirke. Red sandstone ashlar …

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Simon Cotterill
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Carlisle citadel

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Image taken from page 395 of 'Magna Britannia; being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain. [With copious illustrations.] vol. 1-6. L.P'

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[Citadel, Carlisle, England] (LOC)

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Postcard - Carlisle - Station Approach and Court Houses

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List grade: 1
List number: 1196939
List number: 1196940
Wikipedia: Carlisle Citadel
Grid ref: NY4025055669

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