Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle
Near Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway GB grid reference NY024655
Caerlaverock Castle from the air
Location within Dumfries and Galloway
Coordinates	54°58′30″N 3°31′26″W
Built	Late 13th century
Built by	Clan Maxwell
Demolished	1640 (partial demolition)
Current condition	Ruined
Current owner	Historic Scotland
Open to the public	Yes
Events	Sieges in 1300 and 1640 among others

Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle, built in the 13th century, in the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve area at the Solway Firth, south of Dumfries in the southwest of Scotland. In the Middle Ages it was owned by the Maxwell family. Today, the castle is in the care of Historic Scotland and is a tourist attraction and popular wedding venue. 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) who married Katherine Stewart.

Early history

View of 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. Around 1220 Alexander II of Scotland granted the lands in the area to Sir John Maxwell, making him Warden of the West March. John Maxwell then proceeded to build the "old" castle, 200 metres (660 ft) to the south of the current one. 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. In the 1270s the "new" castle was built, and Herbert Maxwell, nephew of John Maxwell, occupied it.

Caerlaverock Castle in 1900

Being very close to the border with England, Caerlaverock castle had to be defended several times against English forces. One such occasion was the Siege of Caerlaverock of 1300 by Edward I of England who had eighty seven of the Barons of England in his host, as well as knights of Brittany and Lorraine. The Maxwells, under their chief, Sir Eustace Maxwell, made a vigorous defence that repelled the English several times. In the end the garrison were compelled to surrender, after which it was found that only sixty men had defied 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 in the form of verses of poetry, each describing the feats of valour of each noble and knight present, with a blazon of his armorials. The Roll of Caerlaverock is thus a very important primary source for students of heraldry.

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 I 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.

Later history

View showing the latter addition to the castle at the north end of the Inner Court

Parts of the castle were rebuilt in the 15th century. After a siege in 1640 that pitted the steadfast Catholic Maxwells against angry Protestant factions, the castle was permanently abandoned. During the battle the south wall and tower were demolished and remain so to this day.

About 2 miles to the east is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve WWT Caerlaverock. Both the castle and the WWT reserve are within the Caerlaverock NNR, a National Nature Reserve in the care of Scottish Natural Heritage.

Weddings

Caerlaverock is a popular wedding venue due in part to its close proximity to Gretna Green. It is also the setting for forthcoming feature film, The Decoy Bride starring David Tennant and Kelly Macdonald

Sources

• Maxwell family Castle in Scotland. URL accessed on 6 August 2006.
• Castles in Scotland. URL accessed on 16 August 2005.
• Undiscovered Scotland. URL accessed on 16 August 2005.
• About Scotland. URL accessed on 16 August 2005.
• The Caerlaverock Dig. URL accessed on 16 August 2005.

Further reading

• 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
• O'Neil, B. H. St. J. (1967), Caerlaverock Castle: Official Guide, HMSO 

External links

• Caerlaverock Castle - site information from Historic Scotland
• Caerlaverock Society - Online walking tour & Informative links at caerlaverock.org