Discover The Percy Family
For more than 700 years, the Percy family has been closely connected with Alnwick Castle, shaping its history, architecture and place in Northumberland. From medieval warriors and powerful Earls to the Dukes of Northumberland who live here today, generations of the Percy family have left their mark on the castle.
Even if you’ve never visited Alnwick Castle, you’ll probably recognise its dramatic towers and opulent interiors from film and TV, including Harry Potter's Hogwarts and Downton Abbey's Brancaster Castle. But behind its famous screen appearances is a much older story: the story of the Percy family.
So, who are the Percy family, how did they come to own Alnwick Castle, and what role do they play in the castle today? We look into the history of the Percy family and their enduring connection with one of Northumberland’s most famous castles.
Who built Alnwick Castle?
Dating back to the Norman period — the ‘age of castles’ — Alnwick Castle has stood for almost 1000 years. In 1096, the original wooden building was remodelled by Yvo de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick (you may see his name spelt in a variety of ways, from Ivo Vescy to Yves II de Vesci).
The building’s circular keep helped repel any unwelcome intruders during the turbulent early years of its life. Alnwick quickly became known as one of the strongest castles in Northumberland. Constantly under siege, it withstood every enemy.
Yvo de Vescy, the Baron of Alnwick, continued to own the castle until 1297 when the line died out. Ownership passed to the Bishop of Durham, Anthony Bek, who later sold the castle to Henry Percy. This strategic stronghold was now under the control of a trusted and highly successful warrior.
When did the Percy family move in?
Henry Percy, 1st Baron Percy, took possession of Alnwick Castle in 1309 and quickly set about a major renovation. He transformed its military defences, creating a formidable fortress. He also added private rooms and lodgings, which are still in use today.
The Percy family has an astonishing history, filled with rebellion, romance and intrigue. Perhaps most famous of all was Sir Henry Percy, nicknamed ‘Harry Hotspur’, the mighty warrior was immortalised in Shakespeare's Henry IV. Hotspur died in battle in 1403, while leading a rebellion against the very same king. A statue in his memory stands in Alnwick today.
Hotspur’s descendants continued to make their mark, remaining at the pinnacle of politics and the monarchy. For example, Henry, the 4th Earl of Northumberland, played a critical role during the Wars of the Roses. At the Battle of Bosworth he commanded his army to refrain from getting involved within the battle action, this action played a role in the ultimate downfall of Richard III losing the battle to Henry the 4th Earl of Northumberland, who became King Henry VII.
The 6th Earl was allegedly secretly engaged to Anne Boleyn before she married Henry VIII. Some years later, Thomas Percy rebelled against Elizabeth I, and in the 17th century, Algernon Percy laid the foundations for Alnwick Castle's fabulous art collection.
But it was Elizabeth Percy (1716–1776), who really transformed Alnwick, now known as the second largest inhabited castle after Windsor. She and her husband, Sir Hugh Smithson, had the grounds landscaped by Capability Brown and the interiors refashioned by Robert Adam.
In the next century, the Algernon’s took the property’s decor in a completely different direction. They enlisted famous architect Anthony Salvin to refashion Alnwick Castle into one of the most distinctive castles to visit in Northumberland. Salvin created the superb Italianate state rooms seen in Transformers: The Last Knight and Downton Abbey.
Does the Percy family still live in Alnwick Castle?
Yes. The Percy family still lives at Alnwick Castle today, continuing a connection with the castle that stretches back more than 700 years.
Alnwick has been passed down through generations of the Percy family, with each generation leaving its mark on the castle and its grounds. Today, it remains the ancestral home of the Percy family, while also welcoming visitors from around the world.
The current owner is Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, who inherited Alnwick Castle following the death of his elder brother and has overseen the castle's development as a major visitor attraction while maintaining its role as the Percy family's home.
So, while you can explore the castle's State Rooms, grounds and collections, Alnwick remains more than a historic attraction: it is still a living home for the Percy family.
Who else has lived at Alnwick Castle?
But for many of us, especially younger visitors, Alnwick Castle’s most famous resident will always be the boy wizard Harry Potter. The castle transformed into Hogwarts for the first two films in the franchise and has also stood in for locations in Blackadder, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Who will inherit Alnwick Castle?
As the heir to the Dukedom of Northumberland, Earl Percy, the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland will inherit the estate, including Alnwick Castle.
The castle has been in the hands of the Percy family for more than 700 years, passing from one generation to the next. Today, it remains the family’s ancestral home, continuing a tradition that has shaped the history of Alnwick and Northumberland for centuries.
Discover The story behind the castle
See the Percy family's legacy for yourself. Explore the State Rooms, collections and castle grounds at Alnwick Castle.