Lochleven Castle
Tabraham, C. J. (Christopher J)1994
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The island stronghold of Lochleven Castle is associated with any colourful events and has been visited by countless distinguished personalities during its long history. Some of those taking the boat across the loch came of their own accord, like Robert the Bruce in 1313 and again in 1323; others were held prisoner within its walls, including Robert Stewart in 1369, only two years before his coronation as Robert II, the first of the Royal House of Stewart. But the castle will be forever associated in the memory with another Stewart monarch, Mary Queen of Scots. She first visited Lochleven in 1561 as the guest of its lord but her last stay, in 1567-8, was as his prisoner. It was in this watery prison that she was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son, James VI. The castle walls held her for less than a year. In May 1568 she escaped across the loch and before that month was out was in exile in England. She never returned to her native land. It is not just its history which places Lochleven Castle among the most important medieval monuments in Scotland; its surviving buildings are equally outstanding. Indeed, the lofty tower house on the island which was Mary's prison for much of her stay has a claim to be among the oldest in the country, and parts of the courtyard wall may perpetuate defences erected as early as 1300.
Main title:
Lochleven Castle / Chris Tabraham.
Imprint:
(Edinburgh) : Historic Scotland, 1994.
Collation:
24 p : ill., map, plan ; 21 cm.
Notes:
On cover: Historic Scotland.Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN:
07480085949780748008599
Dewey class:
941
Local class:
SCO941
Language:
English
Index terms:
SCOTTISH CASTLES
BRN:
1188056
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