Stirling castle
Stirling castle, which stands on a dolorite hill over 400 feet above sea level, occupies an important strategic position controlling the main ford of the river Forth; it is thus a link between the Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland. The castle is of unknown age, but from the time of Alexander I (d.1124) until the union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603 it was an important royal centre, rivalling Edinburgh as Scotland's capital. Called the ‘Key to Scotland’, the castle changed hands many times during the Wars of Scottish Independence. It fell to the English in 1296, was recovered in 1297, but fell again to Edward I in 1304. It was to relieve a siege on the castle that Edward II risked a battle at Bannockburn, 2½ miles to the south in 1314. When Robert the Bruce was victorious he had the building dismantled, so fearful was he of the consequences of losing it. Edward Balliol surrendered the castle to Edward III in 1334 but the Scots regained it in 1339. As a result of this turbulent history, the fortifications and palace buildings within the irregular enclosure are of the 15th cent. and later.
Lynda Rollason
More From encyclopedia.com
Edward The Elder , Son and successor of Alfred the Great, the Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Elder (died 924) continued his father's spirited defense of Anglo-Saxon domain… Lewis Edward Lawes , Edward (c.1005–66), king of England (1042–66), known as ‘the Confessor’. Edward was born at Islip (Oxon.), the first recorded child of Æthelred's sec… Piers Gaveston , Gaveston, Piers (1284–1312). The most notorious favourite of Edward II was the son of a Gascon knight who served in Edward I's household. Whether his… Edward Balliol , Balliol, Edward (c.1280–1364). Son of John Balliol, king of Scots, and himself titular king of Scots (1332–56). He had good prospects in youth, being… Edward I , Edward I
Edward I (1239–1307), king of England (1272–1307). When Edward came to the throne he was already an experienced general and politician. He h… Edward Iii , Edward III (1312–77), king of England (1327–77), claimant to the French throne (1340–60 and 1369–77). Edward came to the throne in 1327 in unpropitio…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Stirling castle