The City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, also simply known as Newcastle (Vespan: Nykastell), is the capital city of the Tyne Republic. It has a population of 280,000 it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne. The city developed in the area that was the location of the Roman settlement called Pons Aelius, though it owes its name to the castle built in 1080, by Duke Robert II.