Brodick Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brodick Castle |
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| Outside Brodick, Isle of Arran, Scotland | |
Brodick Castle (June 2013)
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 Brodick Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°35′38″N 5°09′04″W / 55.5940°N 5.1511°W |
| Type | Tower house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | National Trust for Scotland |
| Controlled by | Dukes of Hamilton |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Preserved |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1510 (site since c.400) |
| Built by | Earl of Arran |
| In use | Until 1958 |
Brodick Castle is a historic castle located near the town of Brodick on the Isle of Arran, an island in Scotland. For a long time, it was the home of the Dukes of Hamilton. Today, the National Trust for Scotland owns and cares for the castle. It is a very important historic building, and its beautiful gardens are also well-known.
Contents
History of Brodick Castle
Early Times and Viking Influence
There has been a fort on the site of Brodick Castle for a very long time, possibly since the 400s. Back then, people from Ireland, called Gaels, were expanding their kingdom in Scotland.
By the 900s, Vikings from Norway became very powerful in the area. Arran became part of their lands, which were ruled from places like Dublin or Orkney. You can still see Viking influence in names like Brodick, which comes from the Old Norse words for "Broad Bay." The castle's location was important because it guarded the sea passage known as the Firth of Clyde.
The Battle of Largs and Scottish Control
In the mid-1200s, Arran was part of a kingdom ruled by two Norse-Gaelic kings who were under the King of Norway. The Scottish King, Alexander III of Scotland, wanted to control these islands to make his kingdom stronger.
In 1263, the King of Norway, Hákon Hákonarson, sailed to Scotland with a large fleet to protect his lands. His ships anchored in Lamlash Bay on Arran. After some talks failed, a big battle happened at Largs, just across the water. The Scottish forces won this battle. King Hákon's forces went back to Arran and then to Orkney, where he later died. In 1266, the Treaty of Perth officially gave these islands, including Arran, to Scotland.
Wars of Independence and Robert the Bruce
After King Alexander III and his heir died, Scotland faced a difficult time. In 1291, the King of England, Edward I of England, was asked to help choose the next Scottish king. He chose John de Balliol, but John had to agree that Edward was his ruler. When John refused to help Edward in a war, Edward invaded Scotland.
Around this time, English soldiers were stationed at Brodick Castle. Later, during the Scottish Wars of Independence, Robert the Bruce was hiding from the English. It is said that he saw a spider trying to build a web on Arran, which inspired him to keep fighting.
In 1307, Robert the Bruce's supporter, James Douglas, Lord of Douglas, attacked the English forces supplying Brodick Castle. This was an early victory for Bruce. He was able to take Brodick Castle from the English in 1307, making it one of the first castles he recaptured in his fight for Scotland's freedom.
Later Medieval Period
In 1406, an English force sailed into Brodick Bay and badly damaged the castle. More destruction happened in 1455 by John of Islay, a powerful Scottish lord.
After 1470, King James III gave the castle to his brother-in-law, James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton. His son, James Hamilton, became the first Earl of Arran in 1503. The Hamilton family then added a special ship symbol to their family crest, showing their connection to the islands.
The Hamilton Family at Brodick
Earls of Arran and Castle Changes
By 1510, the Earl of Arran had rebuilt the castle as a strong tower house. However, it still faced attacks from other powerful Scottish families.
During a period called the "Rough Wooing," King Henry VIII attacked Scotland. Brodick Castle was attacked by an English force in revenge for the actions of the 2nd Earl of Arran. This Earl, Lord Arran, was the Regent (a ruler for a young king or queen) of Scotland while Mary, Queen of Scots, was a baby. He helped arrange Mary's marriage to the French prince. For his efforts, he was given the title of Duke of Châtellerault in France. During his time as Regent, he continued to make Brodick Castle bigger and stronger.
Dukes of Hamilton and Civil War
Brodick Castle was also involved in the religious conflicts of the 1600s, known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Scotland was divided between two main Christian groups: Presbyterians and Episcopalians. King Charles I favored the Episcopalians.
James Hamilton, who was the King's advisor for Scotland, tried to enforce the King's wishes. However, Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, who led the Presbyterians, took control of Brodick Castle.
Hamilton became a Duke in 1643 and got his castle back the next year when the Scottish Civil War began. But he lost it again in 1646 as the King's supporters faced difficulties. The Duke was captured and later executed. His brother, William, became the next Duke but died from wounds in battle.
The title then passed to the first Duke's only surviving child, Anne. She was sent to Brodick for safety. In 1650, Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, called Roundheads, took control of the castle. They added a special Artillery battery to defend the Firth of Clyde, showing how important the castle's location was.
Duchess Anne later moved away from Brodick. Her husband, who became Duke of Hamilton for life, sometimes used the castle for hunting trips.
In the 1800s, the castle became a home for the eldest son of the 10th Duke of Hamilton. In 1844, a lot of building work was done, almost tripling the castle's size. This was led by the architect James Gillespie Graham.
The 12th Duke of Hamilton had no sons. So, when he died, the castle passed to his only daughter, Lady Mary Louise Douglas-Hamilton. She married the 6th Duke of Montrose in 1906. This meant that after more than 500 years, Brodick Castle was no longer owned by someone with the Hamilton name.
Brodick Castle Today
The National Trust for Scotland bought Brodick Castle and its gardens in 1958. This happened after the death of the Dowager Duchess of Montrose, and the castle was given to the Trust instead of paying taxes. Lady Jean Fforde, the Duchess's daughter, later said that losing the castle felt like losing her whole life.
Today, Brodick Castle is open to the public during the summer months. The surrounding Brodick Country Park is open all year round. Many visitors come to explore the castle and its beautiful grounds.
Inside the castle, you can see interesting artworks, including a copy of a famous painting called The Death of General Wolfe.
Since 1972, a picture of Brodick Castle has been featured on the back of twenty pound notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The 1998 movie The Governess, starring Minnie Driver, was also filmed at Brodick Castle.
Gardens
The castle has a beautiful Walled Garden that was built in 1710. You can still see special structures called Bee boles there, which were used to keep beehives warm.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Brodick para niños
- Banknotes of Scotland (featured on design)
- Home Farm, Brodick
