Editing Caerlaverock Castle

{{Short description|Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2020}}
{{infobox military installation
|image = [[File:Caerlaverock Castle from the air.jpg|300px]]
|caption = Caerlaverock Castle from the air
|map = {{Infobox mapframe|id=Q1025398|zoom=11}}
|map_type = Scotland Dumfries and Galloway
|map_caption = Location within Dumfries and Galloway
|map_size = 300
|location = {{cvt|11|km|mi|0}} south of [[Dumfries]], [[Dumfries and Galloway]] <br/> GB {{gbmapping|NY024655}}
|country = Scotland
|coordinates = {{coord|54.9756408|-3.5239534|format=dms|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline}}
|built= Late 13th century
|builder = [[Clan Maxwell]]
|demolished = 1640 (partial demolition)
|condition = Partially demolished
|ownership = [[Historic Environment Scotland]]
|open_to_public = Yes
|events = Sieges in 1300 and 1640 among others
}}

'''Caerlaverock Castle''' is a [[moat]]ed triangular [[castle]] first built in the 13th century. It is located on the southern coast of Scotland, {{convert|11|km|mi|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} south of [[Dumfries]], on the edge of the [[Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve]]. Caerlaverock was a stronghold of the [[Clan Maxwell|Maxwell family]] from the 13th century until the 17th century, when the castle was abandoned. It was besieged by the English during the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]], and underwent several partial demolitions and reconstructions over the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 17th century, the Maxwells were created [[Earl of Nithsdale|Earls of Nithsdale]], and built a new lodging within the walls, described as among "the most ambitious early classical domestic architecture in Scotland".<ref name=BOS140/> In 1640 the castle was besieged for the last time by the Protestant [[Covenanter]]s army, 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.<ref name=rcahms>{{cite web |url= http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/66100/details/caerlaverock+castle/ |title=Caerlaverock Castle |publisher=[[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland]] |work=[[Canmore (database)|CANMORE]] |access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref>

The castle, which is protected as a [[scheduled monument]], is in the care of [[Historic Environment Scotland]],<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90046|desc=Caerlaverock Castle and Old Castle,castles,courtyards and harbour|access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref> and is a popular tourist attraction.

==Etymology==
The name ''Caerlaverock'' is of [[Common Brittonic|Brittonic]] origin.<ref name="bliton">{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Alan |title=A Guide to the Place-Name Evidence |url=http://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary.pdf |website=SPNS – The Brittonic Language in the Old North |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813011121/http://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first part of the name is the element {{lang|ang|cajr}} meaning "an enclosed, defensible site", ([[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''[[caer]]'' meaning "fort, city").<ref name="bliton" /> The second part of the name may be the personal name ''Lïμarch'' (Welsh ''Llywarch''),<ref name="bliton" /> or a lost [[Hydronym|stream-name]] formed from the adjective ''laβar'', "talkative" (Welsh ''llafar'', see [[Afon Llafar]]),<ref name="bliton" /> suffixed with ''–ǭg'', "having the quality of",<ref name="bliton" /> or the adjectival suffix ''-īg''.<ref name="bliton" /> The present form has been influenced by the [[Scots language|Scots]] word ''laverock'', "skylark".<ref name="bliton" />

==History==
[[File:Old carlaverock castle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|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. The chronicles in the 12th-century ''[[Annales Cambriæ]]'' state that King [[Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio]] died nearby at the [[Battle of Arfderydd|Battle of Arthuret]] in 573. His death triggered his bard [[Myrddin Wyllt]] to go insane and retreat into the woods, an act that later inspired the character of [[Merlin]] in [[Matter of Britain|Arthurian legend]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Castleden |first1=Rodney |title=The Castles of Britain and Ireland |date=2013 |publisher=Quercus Publishing}}</ref>

The Maxwell family can be traced back to Undwin and his son Maccus in the 11th 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).

The earliest mention of the lands of Caerlaverock is around 1160, when they were granted to the monks of [[Holm Cultram Abbey]].<ref name=BOS140>Gifford 1996, p.140</ref> 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 to 1233,<ref name=BOS140/> 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.<ref name="HSwebsite">{{cite web |url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_047&PropName=Caerlaverock%20Castle |title= Caerlaverock Castle: About the Property |publisher= Historic Scotland |access-date=16 May 2010}}</ref>

This early castle may have been incomplete when it was abandoned in favour of a rock outcrop some {{convert|200|m}} 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.<ref name=BOS140/> In the 1270s the "new" castle was completed, and Herbert Maxwell, nephew of John Maxwell, occupied it.
[[File:Jacobite_broadside_-_Caerlaverock_Castle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|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.<ref>Wilson & Hurst 1957, p. 158</ref> While the gatehouse stands on natural rock, the rest of the castle was built on a clay platform created especially for the castle.<ref>Wilson & Hurst 1959, p. 308</ref>

===Wars of independence===
In 1299, the garrison of Caerlaverock attacked [[Lochmaben Castle]] which was held by English forces.

====Siege of Caerlaverock====
[[File:Caerlaverock Castle by Joseph Mallord William Turner - Joseph Mallord William Turner - ABDAG000623.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|Caerlaverock Castle by [[J. M. W. Turner]], c.1832]]
[[File:Caerlaverock Castle 2016.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The castle from the south-west in 2016]]
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 (province)|Lorraine]], and besieged Caerlaverock. Those present on the English side included [[Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln|Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln]]; [[Robert FitzWalter, 1st Baron FitzWalter|Robert FitzWalter]]; [[Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford|Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford]]; [[John Segrave, 2nd Baron Segrave|John, Baron Segrave]]; [[Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick|Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick]]; [[John of Brittany, Earl of Richmond]]; [[Patrick IV, Earl of March|Patrick, Earl of March]] and his [[Patrick V, Earl of March|son]]; [[Edward II of England|Prince Edward]] (the future Edward II); [[Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster|Thomas, Earl of Lancaster]], and his brother [[Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster|Henry]]; [[Richard Fitzalan, 1st Earl of Arundel|Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel]]; and [[Antony Bek (bishop of Durham)|Antony Bek, Bishop of Durham]]. The Maxwells, under their chief Sir Eustace Maxwell, mounted a vigorous defence of the castle which repelled the English several times. In the end, the garrison was compelled to surrender, after which it was found that only sixty men had withstood the whole English army for a considerable period.

{{Anchor|Roll}}During the siege the English heralds composed a [[roll of arms]] in [[Old French]] verse, known as the ''Siege of Caerlaverock'', in which each noble or knight present was named, his feats of valour described, and a poetic [[blazon]] of his [[Coat of arms|armorial bearings]] given.<ref>Nicholas 1828.</ref><ref>Wright 1864.</ref><ref>Brault 1973.</ref><ref>[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Roll_of_Caerlaverock/The_Roll Wikisource: The Roll of Caerlaverock]</ref>

===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 I of Scotland|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 [[slighting|dismantled]] the fortress, 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 Castle|Closeburn]] captured Caerlaverock for [[David II of Scotland]], and partly dismantled the castle.<ref name=BOS141>Gifford 1996, p.141</ref>

===Repair and rebuilding===
[[File:Cael8.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|View showing the latter addition to the castle 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.<ref name=BOS141/> 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.<ref name=BOS141/>

The Catholic Maxwells took up the cause of [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], after her forced abdication in 1567. Caerlaverock was besieged in 1570 by an English Protestant force led by the [[Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex|Earl of Sussex]], and was again partly demolished, including the destruction of the gatehouse with gunpowder.<ref name=BOS141/>

By 1593, [[John Maxwell, 8th Lord Maxwell|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.<ref name=BOS141/> The 8th Lord was killed by the Johnstones during a fight at Dryfe Sands, and in 1613 the [[John Maxwell, 9th Lord Maxwell|9th Lord Maxwell]] was executed for the revenge murder of Sir James Johnstone.

===Earls of Nithsdale===
In 1619 [[Robert Maxwell, 1st Earl of Nithsdale|Robert, 10th Lord Maxwell]], married Elizabeth Beaumont, cousin of the [[George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham|Duke of Buckingham]], a [[favourite]] of [[James VI of Scotland]]. He was subsequently made [[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.<ref name=BOS141/>

[[File:CaerlaverockCastle1900.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Caerlaverock Castle in 1900]]
The new ranges were completed around 1634. Nithsdale was at Caerlaverock in August 1637, and wrote to [[Sir Richard Graham, 1st Baronet|Sir Richard Graham]] asking for dogs for hunting and breeding.<ref>''HMC 6th Report: Graham'' (London, 1877), p. 335.</ref> Religious turmoil soon turned against the staunchly Catholic Maxwells. In 1640 the Protestant [[Covenanter]] army besieged Caerlaverock for 13 weeks, eventually forcing its surrender. According to [[Henry Vane the Elder|Sir Henry Vane]], the Earl and Countess of Nithsdale and their page were allowed to leave, but 40 defenders called Maxwell were put to the sword.<ref>''Calendar State Papers Domestic: 1640–1641'', vol. 17 (London, 1882), p. 84: TNA SP16/467/26.</ref> The south wall and tower were demolished, and the castle was never repaired or reoccupied.<ref name=BOS141/>

In the mid 19th century, the castle was in the possession of [[William Constable-Maxwell, 10th Lord Herries of Terregles]] (1804–1876), heir of the 5th Earl of Nithsdale.<ref>[[L. G. Pine]], ''The New Extinct Peerage 1884-1971: Containing Extinct, Abeyant, Dormant and Suspended Peerages With Genealogies and Arms'' (London: Heraldry Today, 1972), p. 146</ref>

== Architectural description ==
[[File:Caerlaverock Castle, ground floor plan, annotated with Ranges.jpg|thumb|300x300px|The castle ground floor plan from the architects [[MacGibbon and Ross]], showing<br> the ranges of the building.]]
The castle is most unusual in having a triangular form, one of only a small number across Europe and the only one in the UK. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Anon |url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=1a0b5734-e5d2-48dc-856a-a74500b28753 |title=Statement of Significance: Caerlaverock Castle |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |year=2021 |location=Edinburgh |pages=35 pages}}</ref> As well, it is unusual for Scotland in having a moat and earthwork ramparts around it. It sits in a low lying formerly swampy area on the flood plain of the nearby River Nith, again unusual for a defensive structure in this area of Scotland. It is however, the finest example of a castle in south-west Scotland. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Stell |first=Geoffrey |title=Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Dumfries and Galloway |publisher=The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland / HMSO |year=1986 |isbn=0 11 492459 7 |location=Edinburgh |pages=110 - 112}}</ref>

The basic form is triangular, with the Gatehouse to the north formed of two large drum towers (see plan). In the south west and south east corners there are further but smaller drum towers. Murdoch’s Tower to the south west is largely complete, but the tower to the south east was reduced to base level during the Covenanter siege of 1640.

Despite many sieges and slightings followed by rebuildings, the original form of the castle can still be appreciated, the curtain wall bases largely remaining at lower levels, these dating to the original construction in the last quarter of the thirteenth century (HES Statement of Significance ''op cit'', p10) The early parts of the castle were built of red sandstone quarried at nearly Bankend. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Hawkins |first=James Irving |title=The Sandstone Heritage of Dumfriesshire |publisher=The Friends of Annandale and Eskdale Museums |year=2001 |isbn=1 899316 02 7 |location=Dumfries Scotland |pages=2}}</ref>  While of later build, to the west and east much of the curtain walls stand to parapet height.

Within the courtyard formed by the curtain walls there are four ranges: the Gatehouse, the west range, the Banqueting Hall range and the Nithsdale Lodging range (see plan), a small triangular courtyard being formed between them. <ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Neil |first=B H St J |title=Caerlaverock Castle  (Official Guide) |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |year=1952 |isbn= |location=Edinburgh |pages=10 - 16       SBN  11 490829 X}}</ref>  These ranges are of different dates. Especially to the south, the buildings are ruinous, the Banqueting Hall range in particular being reduced for the most part to no more than a few metres high.

A. The '''Gatehouse range''' is the earliest remaining part of the castle. It consists of the two massive drum towers faced in ashlar with the entrance passage between the towers. The west tower is largely original, but the east tower was largely rebuilt in the late fifteenth century. While ruinous at the upper levels, the drum towers still stand above the drawbridge to a height of some 15.5 metres to the [[machicolations]], these dating to the late fifteenth century rebuild.  Internally, the gatehouse has an entrance with [[portcullis]] and above a hall, later subdivided (Stell ''op cit'', p112).

B. The '''west range''' dates to around 1500 and while roofless is largely complete. The range consists essentially of a series of rectangular rooms on two floors, each with a fireplace, the rooms most likely used as accommodation (Stell ''op cit,'' p112.)

C. The south or '''Banqueting House range''' was reduced to walls of only a few metres high or less, largely as a result of the [[Covenanters|Covenanters']] siege in 1640, when artillery fire and then [[slighting]] reduced the walls (and at the same time the SE tower).  The Hall was of substantial size, and some evidence of its former grandeur can be gauged from the remains of the large fireplace on the north wall.

D. Sitting to the north east of the interior, and the last part of the castle to be built, the '''Nithsdale Lodging building''' is the most complete part of the castle. Although lacking its two eastern most bays it is perhaps the most spectacular part of the castle, with its magnificent Renaissance façade of the 1630s (SoS ''op cit'', 12-13). The remaining front is decorated with a series of carved pediments over nine large windows, three smaller ones and two doorways, depicting various armorials and symbolic sculptures (SoS ''op cit'', 16-18) . Internally, the rooms are quite small, due to the placement of a fireplace/flue block in the centre of the structure. With the kitchens and other service rooms on the ground floor, the rooms on the first and higher floors were most likely used as private apartments.

== Nature reserve ==
Caerlaverock Castle is within the Nith Estuary [[National Scenic Area (Scotland)|National Scenic Area]], protected for its scenic qualities, with the castle recognised as a landmark of the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink/documentview.jsp?p_pa_code=9142&p_Doc_Type_ID=37 |title=The Special Qualities of the Nith Estuary National Scenic Area |publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage |year=2010 |work=The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas. SNH Commissioned Report No.374. |access-date=2019-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231155/http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink/documentview.jsp?p_pa_code=9142&p_Doc_Type_ID=37 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The castle is at the northern edge of the [[Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve]], which extends to {{convert|55|km2}} and consists of saltmarsh, mudflats and grazing land. It is an internationally important wintering site for waterfowl and wading birds, including the [[barnacle goose]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/caerlaverock/ |title=Caerlaverock |work=Scotland's National Nature Reserves |access-date=16 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419184118/http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/caerlaverock/ |archive-date=19 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Cultural references==
The castle was used as a location for the 2011 romantic comedy film ''[[The Decoy Bride]]''.<ref name=Herald>{{cite news|title=Film quiz: can you identify the Scottish location doubles?|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/film/film-quiz-can-you-identify-the-scottish-location-doubles.2012023936|access-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=14 February 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |editor-first=Gerard J. |editor-last=Brault |chapter=Siege of Caerlaverock |title=Eight Thirteenth-Century Rolls of Arms in French and Anglo-Norman Blazon |location=University Park, Pa. |publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press |year=1973 |isbn=0271011157 |pages=102–125 }}
*{{cite book |title=Dumfries and Galloway |last=Gifford |first=John |year=1996 |publisher=Yale |series=[[Pevsner Architectural Guides]]: The Buildings of Scotland |isbn=0-300-09671-2}}
*{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1H7oAAAAMAAJ&q=gorges |editor-last=Nicolas |editor-first=Nicholas Harris |editor-link=Nicholas Harris Nicolas |title=The Siege of Caerlaverock in the XXVIII Edward I. A.D. MCCC; with the Arms of the Earls, Barons, and Knights, who were present on the occasion; with a Translation, a History of the Castle, and Memoirs of the Personages Commemorated by the Poet |place=London |publisher=J. B. Nichols and Son |year=1828 }}
*{{cite book |last=O'Neil |first=B. H. St. J. |title=Caerlaverock Castle: Official Guide |year=1967 |publisher=HMSO}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Wilson |first1=David M. |author1-link=David M. Wilson |last2=Hurst |first2=John G. |author2-link=John Hurst (archaeologist) |title=Medieval Britain in 1956 |year=1957 |journal=Medieval Archaeology |volume=1 |url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/archiveDownload?t=arch-769-1/dissemination/pdf/vol01/1_147_171_med_britain.pdf |doi=10.5284/1000320 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Wilson |first1=David M. |author1-link=David M. Wilson |last2=Hurst |first2=John G. |author2-link=John Hurst (archaeologist) |title=Medieval Britain in 1958 |year=1959 |journal=Medieval Archaeology |volume=3 |url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/archiveDownload?t=arch-769-1/dissemination/pdf/vol03/3_295_326_med_britain.pdf |doi=10.5284/1000320 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{cite book |editor-first=Thomas |editor-last=Wright |editor-link=Thomas Wright (antiquarian) |title=The Roll of Arms of the Princes, Barons, and Knights who attended King Edward I. to the Siege of Caerlaverock, in 1300; edited from the manuscript in the British Museum, with a translation and notes |place=London |publisher=John Camden Hotten |year=1864 |url=https://archive.org/stream/rollofarmsofprin00wrigrich#page/n9/mode/2up }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Caerlaverock Castle}}
*Historic Environment Scotland: [https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/caerlaverock-castle Visitor guide]
*{{cite web |url=http://www.phouka.com/travel/castles/caerlaverock/caerlaverock.html |title=Caerlaverock |publisher=Castles in Scotland |access-date=5 July 2015 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.aboutscotland.com/caer/caer.html |title=Caerlaverock Castle |publisher=About Scotland |access-date=5 July 2015 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.clanmaxwellusa.com/caerlave.htm |title=Caerlaverock Castle |publisher=Clan Maxwell Society of the USA |access-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224184657/http://www.clanmaxwellusa.com/caerlave.htm |archive-date=2015-02-24 |url-status=dead }}
{{Castles in Dumfries and Galloway}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Castles in Dumfriesshire]]
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Wars of Scottish Independence]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Renaissance architecture in Scotland]]
[[Category:Historic Environment Scotland properties in Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Clan Maxwell]]
[[Category:Triangular buildings]]