Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle
Dumfriesshire
Caerlaverock Castle from the air
Location
Grid reference:	NY024655
Location:	54°58’32"N, 3°31’26"W
History
	Built Late 13th century
Key events:	Sieges in 1300 & 1640 among others
Information
Condition:	Partially demolished
Owned by:	Historic Scotland
Website:	Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle in the parish of Caerlaverock on the coast of Dumfriesshire, overlooking the merse before the Solway Firth. It was first built in the 13th century.

The castle stands seven miles south of Dumfries, on the edge of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve. The castle was a stronghold of the Maxwell family from the 13th century until the 17th century when the castle was abandoned. It was besieged by Edward I during the Mediaeval wars of the two kingdoms, and underwent several partial demolitions and reconstructions over the 14th and 15th centuries.

In the 17th century, the Maxwells were created Earls of Nithsdale, and built a new lodging within the walls, described as among "the most ambitious early classical domestic architecture in Scotland". In 1640 the castle was besieged for the last time and was subsequently abandoned. Although demolished and rebuilt several times, the castle retains the distinctive triangular plan first laid out in the 13th century. Caerlaverock Castle was built to control trade in early times.

Today, the castle is in the care of Historic Scotland and is a popular tourist attraction. It is protected as a scheduled monument, and as a category A listed building.

Ownership

The history of its builders can be traced to Undwin and his son Maccus in the eleventh century; Maccus gave his name to the barony of Maccuswell, or Maxwell. His grandson, John de Maccuswell (d.1241), was first Lord Maxwell of Caerlaverock. The Baronies of Maxwell and Caerlaverock then passed down through the male line, sometimes collaterally. Robert de Maxwell of Maxwell, Caerlaverock and Mearns (d.1409) rebuilt Caerlaverock castle and was succeeded by Herbert Maxwell of Caerlaverock (d.1420)

History

One of the northern towers of the old, early 13th-century castle

The present castle was preceded by several fortifications in the area: a Roman fort on Ward Law Hill and a British hill fort that was in use around 950.

The earliest mention of the lands of Caerlaverock is around 1160, when they were granted to the monks of Holm Cultram Abbey. Around 1220 Alexander II of Scotland granted the lands to Sir John Maxwell, making him Warden of the West March. Sir John Maxwell also served as Chamberlain of Scotland from 1231–1233, and began work on the first castle at Caerlaverock. This castle was square in shape and was one of the earliest stone castles to be built in Scotland. It had a moat with a bridge facing north. Only the foundations and remains of a wooden enclosure around it remain.

This early castle may have been incomplete when it was abandoned in favour of a rock outcrop some 200 yards to the north. It was here that Sir John's brother Sir Aymer Maxwell began construction of the present castle. Sir Aymer also served as Chamberlain in 1258–1260, and was Justiciar of Galloway in 1264. In the 1270s the "new" castle was completed, and Herbert Maxwell, nephew of John Maxwell, occupied it.

Historic view of Caerlaverock Castle

When the moat around the second castle was dug, the quarrying was probably a source of building stone for the castle. While the gatehouse stands on natural rock, the rest of the castle was built on a clay platform created especially for the castle.

The Wars of England and Scotland

In 1299, the garrison of Caerlaverock attacked Lochmaben Castle which was held by English forces.

In July 1300 King Edward I of England marched north with an army including eighty-seven of the Barons of England and several knights of Brittany and Lorraine. John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond (c.1266-1334) was among Edward's most trusted warriors and is said to have been present. The Maxwells, under their chief Sir Eustace Maxwell, made a vigorous defence which repelled the English several times. In the end the garrison were compelled to surrender, after which it was found that only sixty men had withstood the whole English army for a considerable period. In recent years, Historic Scotland has organised re-enactments of the Siege. During the siege the English heralds composed a roll of arms, the Roll of Caerlaverock, in the form of verses of poetry, each describing the feats of valour of each noble or knight present with a poetic blazon of his armorials.

Recovery

Possession of the castle was subsequently restored to Sir Eustace Maxwell, Sir Herbert's son, who at first embraced the cause of John Balliol, and in 1312 received from Edward II an allowance of £20 for the more secure keeping of the castle. He afterwards gave in his adherence to Robert Bruce, and his castle, in consequence, underwent a second siege by the English, in which they were unsuccessful. Fearing that this important stronghold might ultimately fall into the hands of the enemy, and enable them to make good their hold on the district, Sir Eustace dismantled the fortress, a service and sacrifice for which he was liberally rewarded by Robert Bruce.

By 1337 the castle was once again inhabited, and Sir Eustace now changed sides again, giving his support to Edward Balliol. Around 1355 Sir Roger Kirkpatrick of Closeburn captured Caerlaverock for David II of Scotland, and partly dismantled the castle.

Repair and rebuilding

Latter additions at the north end of the Inner Court

By the end of the Wars of Independence in the mid 14th century, Caerlaverock had been regained by the Maxwells, with Sir Robert Maxwell rebuilding much of the castle between 1373 and 1410. Further work was undertaken by Robert, 2nd Lord Maxwell, in the mid 15th century, probably involving reconstruction of the gatehouse. A new west range was added within the walls around 1500.

The Roman Catholic Maxwells took up the cause of Mary, Queen of Scots, after her forced abdication in 1567. Caerlaverock was besieged in 1570 by a Protestant force led by the Earl of Sussex, and was again partly demolished, including the destruction of the gatehouse with gunpowder.

By 1593, John, 8th Lord Maxwell was repairing the castle again, building up the gatehouse for defence against the Johnstones of Annandale, with whom the Maxwells were feuding. The 8th Lord was killed by the Johnstones during a fight at Dryfe Sands, and in 1613 the 9th Lord Maxwell was executed for the revenge murder of Sir James Johnstone.

Earls of Nithsdale

In 1619 Robert, 10th Lord Maxwell, married Elizabeth Beaumont, cousin of the Duke of Buckingham, a favourite of King James VI & I. He was subsequently created Earl of Nithsdale and appointed to the Privy Council of Scotland. To reflect his new status he built the elaborate south and east ranges within the castle, known as the Nithsdale Lodging.

Caerlaverock Castle in 1900

The new ranges were completed around 1634, but further religious turmoil soon turned against the Romanist Maxwells. In 1640 the Protestant Covenanter army besieged Caerlaverock for 13 weeks, eventually forcing its surrender. The south wall and tower were demolished, and the castle was never repaired or reoccupied.

Protected areas

Caerlaverock Castle is within the Nith Estuary National Scenic Area, protected for its scenic qualities, with the castle recognised as a landmark of the area. The castle is at the northern edge of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve, which extends to 21 square miles and consists of saltmarsh, mudflats and grazing land. It is an internationally important wintering site for waterfowl and wading birds, including the Barnacle Goose.

Cultural references

The castle was a filming location of the 2011 film, The Decoy Bride.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Caerlaverock Castle)

• Caerlaverock Castle - Historic Environment Scotland
• Caerlaverock Society - Online walking tour & Informative links
• Maxwell, Historic Scotland

References

Books

• Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of Scotland: Dumfries and Galloway, 1996 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09671-2
• Wilson, David M & Hurst, John G: '[url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/archiveDownload?t=arch-769-1/dissemination/pdf/vol01/1_147_171_med_britain.pdf Mediæval Britain in 1956]' (1957) Mediæval Archaeology
• Wilson, David M & Hurst, John G: 'Mediæval Britain in 1958' (1959) Mediæval Archaeology, Volume 3
• Maxwell family Castle in Scotland
• Castles in Scotland
• About Scotland: Caerlaverock
• The Caerlaverock Dig

• Nicolas, Nicholas Harris. The Siege of Caerlaverock in the XXVIII Edward I (A.D. MCCC) with the Arms of the Earls, Barons & Knights who were Present on the Occasion with a Translation, a History of the Castle and Memoirs of the Personages Commemorated by the Poet. London, 1828