Editing Perth, Scotland (section)

===Early history===

Perth developed from an initial plan of two parallel streets: [[High Street (Perth, Scotland)|High Street]] and [[South Street (Perth, Scotland)|South Street]], linked by [[Vennels of Perth|several vennels]] leading north and south. The names of these vennels have historic origins, and many—such as Cow Vennel and [[Butcher|Fleshers]]' Vennel—recall the trades associated with their foundation. South Street was originally terminated at its eastern end by [[Gowrie House (Perth, Scotland)|Gowrie House]] (site of today's [[Perth Sheriff Court]]). Upon its demolition in the early 19th century, direct access was granted to the river.<ref name="gillon">Gillon, Jack  (2020). ''Perth History Tour''. {{isbn|9781398101425}}</ref>

The presence of [[Scone, Perthshire|Scone]] two miles (3&nbsp;km) northeast, the main royal centre of the [[Kingdom of Alba]] from at least the reign of [[Kenneth I]] (843–858), and later the site of the major [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] abbey of the same name founded by [[Alexander I of Scotland|Alexander I]] (1107–1124), enhanced Perth's early importance. Perth was considered the effective capital of Scotland, due to the frequent residence of the royal court. [[Royal burgh]] status was awarded to the city by [[William the Lion|King William the Lion]] in the early 12th century. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Perth was one of the richest trading burghs in the kingdom (along with such places as [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]], Aberdeen and [[Roxburgh]]), a residence of numerous craftsmen, organised into guilds (the [[metalworker|Hammermen]] and Glovers, for example). Perth also carried out an extensive trade with France, [[The Low Countries]] and the [[Baltic Countries]] with luxury goods being brought back in return, such as Spanish silk and French pottery and wine.<ref name="Graham-Campbell p8">Graham-Campbell (1994), p. 8.</ref> The royal castle (on or near the site of the present [[multi-storey car park]] adjacent to the new council offices), was destroyed by a flood of the Tay in 1209, one of many that have afflicted Perth over the centuries.<ref name="Graham-Campbell p 6">Graham-Campbell (1994), p. 6.</ref> It was never rebuilt, and Perth was protected at this time only by partial walls and an inventive{{clarify|date=February 2024}} water system, [[Perth Lade]], sourced from the [[River Almond, Perth and Kinross|River Almond]], which divided and flowed to the north on one side and the west and south on the other, eventually joining the Tay.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hutton |first=Guthrie |title=Bygone Perth |year=2005 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |location=Catrine, Ayrshire |isbn=9781840333527 |pages=3–4 |url=http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=415 |access-date=23 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528201110/http://stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=415 |archive-date=28 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

King [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] brought his armies to Perth in 1296, and with only a [[ditch (fortification)|ditch]] for defence and little fortification, the city fell quickly.<ref name="Graham-Campbell p14">Graham-Campbell (1994), p. 14.</ref> Stronger fortifications were quickly built by the English, and plans to wall the city took shape in 1304. They remained standing until [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]]'s recapture of Perth in 1312.<ref name="Graham-Campbell pp16–17">Graham-Campbell (1994), pp16–17</ref> As part of a plan to make Perth a permanent English base within Scotland, [[Edward III]] forced six monasteries in [[Perthshire]] and [[Fife]] to pay for the construction of stone defensive walls, towers and fortified gates around the city in 1336. These defences were the strongest of any city in Scotland in the Middle Ages. The last remnant of the wall can be seen in Albert Close, near to the main entrance to the [[Royal George Hotel, Perth|Royal George Hotel]].<ref name="official6">''Official Guide to Perth and Its Neighbourhood by the Tramway Car Routes'' – Perth Town Council (1907), p. 6</ref><ref>[https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/603267/603267/ "Fears over crumbling Perth tenement block"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202165709/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/603267/603267/ |date=2 December 2021 }} – ''The Courier'', 19 February 2018</ref>