Carlisle Citadel
{{short description|Historic building in Carlisle, Cumbria, England}}
{{distinguish|Carlisle Castle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name =Carlisle Citadel
| native_name =
| image =The Citadel, Carlisle - geograph.org.uk - 1537908.jpg
| caption =Carlisle Citadel with the Western Tower (on the left) and the Eastern Tower (on the right)
| locmapin =Cumbria
| map_caption =
| coordinates ={{coord|54.8920|-2.9334|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| area =
| built =1541
| architect =Stephen von Haschenperg
| architecture =
| governing_body =
| designation1 =Grade I Listed Building
| designation1_offname =Former Nisi Prius Court
| designation1_date = 1 June 1949
| designation1_number =1196940
| designation2 =Grade I Listed Building
| designation2_offname =Former Crown Court
| designation2_date =1 June 1949
| designation2_number =1196939
}}
Carlisle Citadel or The Citadel is a group of buildings on the site of a former early modern fortress on English Street in Carlisle, Cumbria. It comprises two towers, both of which are Grade I listed buildings: the Nisi Prius Courthouse{{NHLE|desc=Nisi Prius Courthouse, Associated Offices and Gate Arch|num=1196940|accessdate=6 September 2019}} and the former Crown Court.{{NHLE|desc=Crown Court, Adjoining Offices and Gate Arch|num=1196939|accessdate=6 September 2019}}
History
The citadel was commissioned by King Henry VIII to replace the medieval Botcher's gate,{{cite web|url=https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/cumbria/az/carlisle-citadel.htm|title=Carlisle Citadel|publisher=Britain Express|accessdate=6 September 2019}} which was a gateway through the city walls.{{cite web|url=http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/369.html|title=Carlisle Citadel |publisher=Gatehouse Gazetteer|accessdate=6 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/north_west/carlisle_castle.html|title=Carlisle Castle and Carlisle City Walls|publisher=Castles Forts Battles|accessdate=6 September 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/51-52/41/enacted|title=Local Government Act 1888|publisher=Legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=17 August 2019}} After amalgamation with Westmorland County Council in 1974,{{cite book|title=Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70|publisher=The Stationery Office Ltd|isbn=0-10-547072-4|year=1997}} 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{{cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/17243661.ex-county-council-offices-in-carlisle-put-up-for-sale/|title=Ex-county council offices in Carlisle put up for sale|publisher=News and Star|date=23 November 2018|accessdate=1 September 2019}} as well as Lonsdale House in Lower Gaol Yard.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/16697944.going-going-gonecarlisles-county-council-offices-are-set-for-demolition/|title=Going, going gone....Carlisle's county council offices are set for demolition|date=15 March 2018|publisher=News and Star|accessdate=6 September 2019}}
The citadel ceased to function as a judicial facility after the new Courts of Justice in Earl Street was completed in 1992.{{cite web|url=https://www.cumbriacountyhistory.org.uk/township/carlisle|title=Carlisle|publisher=County History Trust|accessdate=6 September 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.ericwright.co.uk/cumbria-county-council-new-offices-now-complete/|title=Cumbria County Council new offices now complete|date=19 December 2016|publisher=Eric Wright|accessdate=1 September 2019}} The county council submitted proposals to the Government for funding to redevelop the Citadel area in April 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/16701521.6m-shops-and-hotel-plan-for-the-citadel-in-carlisle/|title=£6m shops and hotel plan for The Citadel in Carlisle|date=12 April 2016|publisher=News and Star|accessdate=6 September 2019}} and published a plan to convert it into a campus for the University of Cumbria in May 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/carlisle-plots-uni-campus-for-100m-citadels-revamp/|title=Carlisle plots uni campus for £100m Citadels revamp|date=14 May 2020|publisher=Place North West|accessdate=14 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.yourcumbria.org/News/2018/publicinvitedtohavetheirsayhistoriccitadel.aspx|title=Public invited to have their say on ambitious new plans for a new university campus at the Historic Citadels and surrounding area|publisher=Your Cumbria|date=14 May 2020|accessdate=14 November 2020}}
References
{{Commons category|Carlisle_Citadel}}
{{reflist}}
Category:Grade I listed buildings in Cumbria
Category:Buildings and structures in Carlisle, Cumbria
Category:Defunct prisons in England
Category:County halls in England