Tynemouth Castle and Priory occupy the same location on a rocky headland overlooking the mouth of the river Tyne. The site was possibly used in Roman times. In Norman times the castle was owned by Robert Mowbray, a Norman Baron. In 1095 William Rufus demanded to see Mowbray after the baron attacked four merchant ships from Norway. But instead Mowbray rose up in revolt supported by Roger de Lacy, Gilbert de Clare and William de Eu. Rufus captured the rebels and their main castles at Tynemouth and Bamborough. Mowbray was imprisoned and the other barons were heavily fined or had their lands confiscated. In 1296 King Edward I granted the prior permission to build a stone walls around the site. A gatehouse was built in around 1390 to protect the site on the western, landward side. It was designed to be the strongest part of the fortification.