Barmkin facts for kids
A barmkin (sometimes spelled barmekin or barnekin) was a type of strong, protective wall built around smaller castles and tower houses in Scotland and northern England. Think of it like a secure yard or enclosure. Its main job was to keep people, their homes, and even their farm animals safe during attacks or raids.
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What is a Barmkin?
A barmkin was a defensive wall that surrounded a main building, like a tower house or a Peel tower. These walls were usually made of stone. Inside the barmkin, there would be smaller buildings. It was a safe place for people and their belongings.
Why were Barmkins important?
Barmkins were very important during times of trouble. When enemies or raiders attacked, people could quickly gather inside the barmkin. They could also bring their valuable farm animals, like cattle, inside the strong walls. This helped protect everyone and everything from harm.
Building Barmkins by Law
In 1535, James V of Scotland made a special law. He ordered that every important landowner in Scotland had to build a strong barmkin. This law was made to help protect people and their property. It was especially important for those living in the countryside or near the borders.
What the Law Required
The law said that these barmkins had to be:
- Made of stone and lime.
- About 60 feet (18 meters) square.
- Around 6 ells (about 18 feet or 5.5 meters) high.
- About 1 ell (about 3 feet or 0.9 meters) thick.
Landowners could also build a small tower inside their barmkin if they wanted to. This law helped make sure that people had a safe place to go during dangerous times.
Famous Barmkins
Many castles and tower houses in Scotland and northern England once had barmkins. Some examples include:
- Halton Castle in Cheshire, England.
- Smailholm Tower in the Scottish Borders.
- Crichton Castle in Midlothian, Scotland.
The "Barmekin of Echt"
Near the village of Echt, Aberdeenshire, there is an ancient place called the "Barmekin of Echt." This place is a very old hill fort. It has five circular stone walls built on a hilltop. Even though it's called a 'Barmekin,' it's not the same kind of defensive wall as the barmkins built around castles. It's a much older type of fortification from prehistoric times.
