The Source And Its Context : Richard De Umfraville's Letter Of 1220

Our knowledge of the initial construction of Harbottle Castle derives from a considerably later source, namely Richard de Umfraville's letter defending the legality of his castle in the face of a royal order to demolish recent additions in 1220. Richard countered the claims that Harbottle was an unlicenced, or 'adulterine' castle in a letter to Hubert de Burgh in August 1220 asking the latter to intercede with the king on his behalf. The letter is crucial in providing the earliest succinct description of the castle's location, its perceived role and strategic value, as well as the circumstances of its original construction:

the castle is sited in the marches of Scotland, towards the Great Waste (Magnam Wastinam), to the great benefit of the kingdom as much in times of peace as war, more than nine leagues distant from Bamburgh castle, and was built by Henry king of England, grandfather of our lord the king, with 'aid' from the entire county of Northumberland and bishopric of Durham, on the orders of the aforesaid king Henry....it is not adulterine, when it was constructed with the agreement and instruction of lord king Henry, to the benefit of the kingdom as much for the king as for peace . . ., (Royal Letters Hen. III i, no 856; cf. CalDocScot i, no 775)