Lancaster Castle originated in Roman times and is a castle and a prison in Lancaster, England. At the end of the eleventh century the castle and priory were founded by Roger de Poitou. Part of the Norman keep still survives. During the time of John of Gaunt in the fourteenth century, the castle was rebuilt leading it to also be known as John O'Gaunt's castle. In 1585, Elizabeth I rebuilt the upper storey of the 12th century Keep. Thomas Harrison designed Shire Hall which was built in 1802.

The castle has been a prison since 1196. The Pendle Witches trial took place here while Thomas Covell was the Governor of the Castle and Prison. It has been attacked by Robert Bruce and several attacked by the royalists during the English Civil war.

The castle was passed on to Edmund_Crouchback, 1st Earl of Lancaster from Henry III in 1267, and from this the castle is part of the Duchy of Lancaster, currently owned by Queen Elizabeth II.

In the United States, the Lancaster County Prison in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was built as an almost exact replica of Lancaster castle in England.

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SOURCES:
Wikipedia.com
Guide to castles of Europe
Lancaster Castle website

Submitted by Robby Robinson