Rothesay Castle: Difference between revisions
lx |
m Moving Category:Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Argyll and Bute to Category:Scheduled monuments in Argyll and Bute per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy |
||
| (47 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Castle in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK}} |
|||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} |
|||
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}} |
|||
{{Infobox Military Structure |
{{Infobox Military Structure |
||
|name=Rothesay Castle |
|name=Rothesay Castle |
||
|location=[[ |
|location=[[Rothesay]], [[Isle of Bute]], [[Scotland]] |
||
|coordinates = {{coord|55.836461|-5.055041|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} |
|||
|coordinates= |
|||
|image=[[ |
|image=[[File:Rothesay Castle - Gatehouse and Pigeon Tower 2016.jpg|300px]] |
||
|caption=Rothesay Castle, with the 16th century forework in the centre, and the 13th century "Pigeon Tower" on the right |
|caption=Rothesay Castle, with the 16th century forework in the centre, and the 13th century "Pigeon Tower" on the right |
||
|map_type = UK Scotland |
|map_type = UK Scotland |
||
|map_relief= 1 |
|map_relief= 1 |
||
|map_caption = Shown within Scotland |
|map_caption = Shown within Scotland |
||
|latitude= 55.836461 |
|||
|longitude= -5.055041 |
|||
|map_size=150 |
|map_size=150 |
||
|type=Curtain Wall and Moat |
|type=Curtain Wall and Moat |
||
| Line 19: | Line 20: | ||
|used=Until 1660 |
|used=Until 1660 |
||
|condition=Ruined |
|condition=Ruined |
||
|ownership=[[Historic Scotland]] |
|ownership=[[Historic Environment Scotland]] |
||
|open_to_public= Yes |
|open_to_public= Yes |
||
|image2=[[ |
|image2=[[File:RothesayCastleS.jpg|300px]] |
||
|caption2=The 13th century curtain wall seen from the south-east, across the moat. The bases of the south-east and south-west towers can be seen. |
|caption2=The 13th century curtain wall seen from the south-east, across the moat. The bases of the south-east and south-west towers can be seen. |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Rothesay Castle''' is a ruined castle in [[ |
'''Rothesay Castle''' is a ruined castle in [[Rothesay]], the principal town on the [[Isle of Bute]], in western [[Scotland]]. Located at {{gbmappingsmall|NS086646}}, the castle has been described as "one of the most remarkable in Scotland",<ref>Lindsay (1986), p.412</ref> for its long history dating back to the beginning of the 13th century, and its unusual circular plan. |
||
The castle comprises a huge [[curtain wall]], strengthened by four round towers, together with a 16th-century |
The castle comprises a huge [[curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]], strengthened by four round towers, together with a 16th-century {{linktext|forework}}, the whole surrounded by a broad [[moat]]. Built by the [[Clan Stewart|Stewart family]], it survived Norse attacks to become a royal residence. Though falling into ruin after the 17th century, the castle was repaired by the [[Marquess of Bute]] before passing into state care in the 20th century. |
||
A [[paddle steamer]] [[PS Rothsay Castle (1816)|named after the castle]] was constructed in 1816. |
|||
==The early castle== |
==The early castle== |
||
The castle was built either by [[Alan Fitzwalter, 2nd High Steward of Scotland|Alan |
The castle was built either by [[Alan Fitzwalter, 2nd High Steward of Scotland|Alan fitz Walter, Steward of Scotland]] (died 1204), or by his succeeding son [[Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland|Walter]] (died 1246). During Alan's tenure, the family added the [[Isle of Bute]] to their lordship.<ref name="Barrow-family">{{cite ODNB |last=Barrow |first=Geoffrey Wallis Steuart |author-link=G. W. S. Barrow |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49411 |title=Stewart family}}</ref> A wooden castle was constructed first, but the stone circular curtain wall was in place by the 1230s, when the castle was attacked and taken by the Norwegian-backed fleet of [[Óspakr-Hákon|Óspakr-Hákon, King of the Isles]] (died 1230). According to ''[[Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar]]'', Óspakr's forces fought for three days to take the castle, breaking down part of the eastern wall by hewing the stone with their axes. This saga is the earliest recorded account of an assault on a Scottish castle.<ref>Tabraham (2000), p.38</ref> In 1263, Rothesay was taken again by the Norwegian forces under [[Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway]] (died 1263) before the [[Battle of Largs]]. Although the Battle of Largs is called indecisive, Hákon's campaign was a failure, the Norse retreated, and it effectively ended Norwegian authority in western Scotland. |
||
The early castle comprised only the roughly circular curtain wall, |
The early castle comprised only the roughly circular curtain wall, {{convert|9|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} thick, {{convert|26|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} high and around {{convert|138|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} in diameter, built on a low mound, with a battlement on top accessed by open stairs.<ref name="GFS">{{cite web|title=Rothesay|url=https://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townhistory551.html|website=Gazetteer for Scotland|publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland|access-date=3 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="canmore">{{cite web|title=Bute, Rothesay, Rothesay Castle|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40395/bute-rothesay-rothesay-castle|website=Canmore|publisher=Historic Environment Scotland|access-date=3 September 2017}}</ref> The moat was connected to the sea, the shoreline then being closer to the north-east of the Castle than it is today. The broad [[crenellation]]s can be made out within the walls, which were later raised. Holes in the upper wall would have supported a timber bretasche, a projecting structure serving as an extended battlement. This curtain wall was built of coursed ashlar, and had only two openings in its length. The main gate was an arched opening with a simple timber door. The second opening was a small postern gate in the west wall, later blocked. |
||
In the later part of the 13th century, the castle was strengthened by the addition of four round towers, of which only the north-west survives intact. These three-storey towers had strong splayed bases, with arrow slits below the crenellated parapet. A [[portcullis]] was added to the main gate. |
In the later part of the 13th century, the castle was strengthened by the addition of four round towers, of which only the north-west survives intact. These three-storey towers had strong splayed bases, with arrow slits below the crenellated parapet. A [[portcullis]] was added to the main gate. |
||
| Line 42: | Line 45: | ||
In the early 16th century Rothesay Castle was strengthened again. Construction of a gatehouse keep, extending from the north of the curtain wall, began around the turn of the century, to provide more modern accommodation for [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]]. The curtain wall itself was raised up to ten metres in height, the works continuing into the reign of [[James V of Scotland|James V]]. In 1527 the castle withstood another siege by the [[Master of Ruthven]], which destroyed much of the [[burgh]] of Rothesay. In 1544, the castle fell to the [[Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox|Earl of Lennox]], acting for the English during the so-called "[[Rough Wooing]]". |
In the early 16th century Rothesay Castle was strengthened again. Construction of a gatehouse keep, extending from the north of the curtain wall, began around the turn of the century, to provide more modern accommodation for [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]]. The curtain wall itself was raised up to ten metres in height, the works continuing into the reign of [[James V of Scotland|James V]]. In 1527 the castle withstood another siege by the [[Master of Ruthven]], which destroyed much of the [[burgh]] of Rothesay. In 1544, the castle fell to the [[Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox|Earl of Lennox]], acting for the English during the so-called "[[Rough Wooing]]". |
||
The forework is an L-plan structure, which jutted into the moat and was accessed by a drawbridge. The lower floor comprised a vaulted entrance tunnel running into the older castle courtyard. Above, the four |
The forework is an L-plan structure, which jutted into the moat and was accessed by a drawbridge. The lower floor comprised a vaulted entrance tunnel running into the older castle courtyard. Above, the four-storey tower contained royal lodgings, and still bears the royal coat of arms above the door. Also in the early 16th century, a chapel was constructed inside the old castle. Simple in form, the chapel measured around {{convert|23|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on|0}} by {{convert|45|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}, and is now the only surviving structure within the curtain wall.<ref name="GFS" /> The north-west tower was converted into a [[doocot]], and is known as the "Pigeon Tower", due to the nest boxes built into the outside wall. |
||
[[Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox]], a favourite of [[James VI and I|James VI]] was compelled by the [[Raid of Ruthven|Ruthven Regime]] to leave Scotland. He went first to [[Dumbarton Castle]], then stayed at Rothesay Castle in October 1582.<ref>''Bowes Correspondence'' (London, 1842), pp. 205, 211, 217.</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | Rothesay was garrisoned |
||
| ⚫ | Rothesay was garrisoned for the occupying forces of [[Oliver Cromwell]], who invaded Scotland with his [[New Model Army]] in the early 1650s. On their departure in 1660, the troops partially dismantled the structure. What was left was burned by the supporters of [[Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll]] during his rising of 1685, in support of the [[Monmouth Rebellion]] against [[James II of England|James VII]]. |
||
==Repair and restoration== |
==Repair and restoration== |
||
[[ |
[[File:Rothesay Castle entrance.JPG|thumb|300px|The vaulted entrance tunnel.]] |
||
Following a long period of neglect, the [[John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute|2nd Marquess of Bute]] employed 70 men to excavate the ruins, clearing large amounts of rubbish from the castle in |
Following a long period of neglect, the [[John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquess of Bute|2nd Marquess of Bute]] employed 70 men to excavate the ruins, clearing large amounts of rubbish from the castle in 1816–17. But it was not until the 1871 that work resumed and the ruins were stabilised.<ref>Scott (2018), p.29</ref> The [[John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute|3rd Marquess]], a keen restorer of historic buildings, embarked upon a series of repairs and restorations, following surveys and advice from his regular architect [[William Burges]]. His "restorations" continued until 1900, and include the clearing and shaping of the moat, as well as the red sandstone additions to the forework, which reinstated the hall roof while significantly altering the character of the building. |
||
In 1961 Rothesay Castle was given to the state, and is now a [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]], in the care of [[Historic Scotland]]. |
In 1961 Rothesay Castle was given to the state, and is now a [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]], in the care of [[Historic Environment Scotland]].<ref> {{cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM12970|title=Rothesay Castle, castle 75m N of Bute MuseumSM12970|publisher= Historic Environment Scotland|access-date= 6 September 2017}} </ref> |
||
The castle is open to visitors year round. Fine views can be seen from the top of the walls over the town and back towards the mainland. |
The castle is open to visitors year round. Fine views can be seen from the top of the walls over the town and back towards the mainland. |
||
| Line 62: | Line 67: | ||
*Tabraham, Chris ''Scotland's Castles'', BT Batsford/Historic Scotland, 1997 |
*Tabraham, Chris ''Scotland's Castles'', BT Batsford/Historic Scotland, 1997 |
||
*Walker, Frank Arneil ''The Buildings of Scotland: Argyll and Bute'', Penguin, 2000 |
*Walker, Frank Arneil ''The Buildings of Scotland: Argyll and Bute'', Penguin, 2000 |
||
*[[Historic Scotland]] Listed Building Report [https://data.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pls/htmldb/f?p=2200:15:0::::BUILDING:44887] |
|||
*[[National Monuments Record of Scotland]] Site Reference NS06SE 3 [https://lmid1.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=40395] |
*[[National Monuments Record of Scotland]] Site Reference NS06SE 3 [https://lmid1.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=40395] |
||
==Other sources== |
|||
*{{cite book |first=Nicki |last=Scott |title=Rothesay Castle |publisher=[[Historic Scotland]] |location=Edinburgh |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-84917-138-0}} |
|||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
{{commons}} |
{{commons}} |
||
*[https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/rothesay-castle/ Historic Environment Scotland - Rothesay Castle] |
|||
*{{historic-scotland-link|238}} |
|||
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 13th century]] |
|||
[[Category:Ruined castles in Argyll and Bute]] |
[[Category:Ruined castles in Argyll and Bute]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Historic Scotland properties in Argyll and Bute]] |
[[Category:Historic Scotland properties in Argyll and Bute]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Rothesay, Bute]] |
[[Category:Rothesay, Bute]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Clan Stewart]] |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Latest revision as of 15:57, 17 October 2024
| Rothesay Castle | |
|---|---|
| Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland | |
 Rothesay Castle, with the 16th century forework in the centre, and the 13th century "Pigeon Tower" on the right | |
 The 13th century curtain wall seen from the south-east, across the moat. The bases of the south-east and south-west towers can be seen. | |
  Rothesay Castle | |
| Coordinates | 55°50′11″N 5°03′18″W / 55.836461°N 5.055041°W |
| Type | Curtain Wall and Moat |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Historic Environment Scotland |
| Controlled by | House of Stuart |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | 13thC |
| Built by | Alan, High Steward of Scotland or Walter Stewart |
| In use | Until 1660 |
| Materials | Stone |
Rothesay Castle is a ruined castle in Rothesay, the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in western Scotland. Located at NS086646, the castle has been described as "one of the most remarkable in Scotland",[1] for its long history dating back to the beginning of the 13th century, and its unusual circular plan.
The castle comprises a huge curtain wall, strengthened by four round towers, together with a 16th-century forework, the whole surrounded by a broad moat. Built by the Stewart family, it survived Norse attacks to become a royal residence. Though falling into ruin after the 17th century, the castle was repaired by the Marquess of Bute before passing into state care in the 20th century.
A paddle steamer named after the castle was constructed in 1816.
The early castle
[edit]The castle was built either by Alan fitz Walter, Steward of Scotland (died 1204), or by his succeeding son Walter (died 1246). During Alan's tenure, the family added the Isle of Bute to their lordship.[2] A wooden castle was constructed first, but the stone circular curtain wall was in place by the 1230s, when the castle was attacked and taken by the Norwegian-backed fleet of Óspakr-Hákon, King of the Isles (died 1230). According to Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar, Óspakr's forces fought for three days to take the castle, breaking down part of the eastern wall by hewing the stone with their axes. This saga is the earliest recorded account of an assault on a Scottish castle.[3] In 1263, Rothesay was taken again by the Norwegian forces under Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway (died 1263) before the Battle of Largs. Although the Battle of Largs is called indecisive, Hákon's campaign was a failure, the Norse retreated, and it effectively ended Norwegian authority in western Scotland.
The early castle comprised only the roughly circular curtain wall, 2.7 m (9 ft) thick, 7.9 m (26 ft) high and around 42 m (138 ft) in diameter, built on a low mound, with a battlement on top accessed by open stairs.[4][5] The moat was connected to the sea, the shoreline then being closer to the north-east of the Castle than it is today. The broad crenellations can be made out within the walls, which were later raised. Holes in the upper wall would have supported a timber bretasche, a projecting structure serving as an extended battlement. This curtain wall was built of coursed ashlar, and had only two openings in its length. The main gate was an arched opening with a simple timber door. The second opening was a small postern gate in the west wall, later blocked.
In the later part of the 13th century, the castle was strengthened by the addition of four round towers, of which only the north-west survives intact. These three-storey towers had strong splayed bases, with arrow slits below the crenellated parapet. A portcullis was added to the main gate.
Wars of independence and the rise of the Stewarts
[edit]During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Rothesay was held by the English, but was taken by Robert the Bruce in 1311. It then returned to English hands in 1334, before being taken again by the Scots. Following the accession of the Stewarts to the throne of Scotland in 1371, the castle became a favourite residence of kings Robert II and Robert III, who died here in 1406. Robert II granted the hereditary keepership of the castle to his son John, ancestor of the Earls and Marquesses of Bute. Robert III made his eldest son David Duke of Rothesay in 1401, beginning a tradition of honouring the heir to the throne of Scotland with this title. In 1462 the castle survived a siege by the forces of John of Islay, Earl of Ross and the last Lord of the Isles.
16th and 17th centuries
[edit]In the early 16th century Rothesay Castle was strengthened again. Construction of a gatehouse keep, extending from the north of the curtain wall, began around the turn of the century, to provide more modern accommodation for James IV. The curtain wall itself was raised up to ten metres in height, the works continuing into the reign of James V. In 1527 the castle withstood another siege by the Master of Ruthven, which destroyed much of the burgh of Rothesay. In 1544, the castle fell to the Earl of Lennox, acting for the English during the so-called "Rough Wooing".
The forework is an L-plan structure, which jutted into the moat and was accessed by a drawbridge. The lower floor comprised a vaulted entrance tunnel running into the older castle courtyard. Above, the four-storey tower contained royal lodgings, and still bears the royal coat of arms above the door. Also in the early 16th century, a chapel was constructed inside the old castle. Simple in form, the chapel measured around 7 m (23 ft) by 14 m (45 ft), and is now the only surviving structure within the curtain wall.[4] The north-west tower was converted into a doocot, and is known as the "Pigeon Tower", due to the nest boxes built into the outside wall.
Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, a favourite of James VI was compelled by the Ruthven Regime to leave Scotland. He went first to Dumbarton Castle, then stayed at Rothesay Castle in October 1582.[6]
Rothesay was garrisoned for the occupying forces of Oliver Cromwell, who invaded Scotland with his New Model Army in the early 1650s. On their departure in 1660, the troops partially dismantled the structure. What was left was burned by the supporters of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll during his rising of 1685, in support of the Monmouth Rebellion against James VII.
Repair and restoration
[edit]
Following a long period of neglect, the 2nd Marquess of Bute employed 70 men to excavate the ruins, clearing large amounts of rubbish from the castle in 1816–17. But it was not until the 1871 that work resumed and the ruins were stabilised.[7] The 3rd Marquess, a keen restorer of historic buildings, embarked upon a series of repairs and restorations, following surveys and advice from his regular architect William Burges. His "restorations" continued until 1900, and include the clearing and shaping of the moat, as well as the red sandstone additions to the forework, which reinstated the hall roof while significantly altering the character of the building.
In 1961 Rothesay Castle was given to the state, and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.[8]
The castle is open to visitors year round. Fine views can be seen from the top of the walls over the town and back towards the mainland.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Lindsay (1986), p.412
- ^ Barrow, Geoffrey Wallis Steuart (2004). "Stewart family". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/49411. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Tabraham (2000), p.38
- ^ a b "Rothesay". Gazetteer for Scotland. Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Bute, Rothesay, Rothesay Castle". Canmore. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ Bowes Correspondence (London, 1842), pp. 205, 211, 217.
- ^ Scott (2018), p.29
- ^ "Rothesay Castle, castle 75m N of Bute MuseumSM12970". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
References
[edit]- Coventry, Martin The Castles of Scotland (3rd Edition), Goblinshead, 2001
- Lindsay, Maurice The Castles of Scotland, Constable & Co. 1986
- Tabraham, Chris Scotland's Castles, BT Batsford/Historic Scotland, 1997
- Walker, Frank Arneil The Buildings of Scotland: Argyll and Bute, Penguin, 2000
- National Monuments Record of Scotland Site Reference NS06SE 3 [1]
Other sources
[edit]- Scott, Nicki (2018). Rothesay Castle. Edinburgh: Historic Scotland. ISBN 978-1-84917-138-0.
External links
[edit]