Cupar Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cupar Castle |
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 Cupar Castle
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| Coordinates | 56°19′12″N 3°00′37″W / 56.32002800°N 3.01029150°W |
Cupar Castle was an important royal castle located in Cupar, Fife, Scotland. Today, you won't find any parts of the castle still standing above the ground.
The Story of Cupar Castle
Early Days and Royal Visits
The powerful Earls of Fife built Cupar Castle way back in the 11th century. It was a very old castle! A sad event happened there in 1275: King Alexander III's wife, Queen Margaret, passed away at the castle.
Battles and Sieges
In 1296, the castle was given up to the English army. King Edward I of England even stayed there for a while.
Years later, in 1306, Scottish forces led by Robert Wishart attacked the English soldiers guarding the castle. They surrounded it, trying to force the English out. However, Wishart was captured by the English right there at Cupar.
In 1308, the castle's leader, Sir Thomas Grey, was ambushed. He was returning from King Edward II's special crowning ceremony. A follower of Robert Bruce, named Walter de Bickerton, led the attack. Even though Thomas Grey's men were greatly outnumbered, they won! He used clever cavalry charges and tricked the enemy into thinking his forces were much larger.
In May 1336, English soldiers led by John de Strivelyn came to help the English at the castle. They drove away the Scottish forces, led by Sir Andrew Murray, who were trying to capture it. But in 1339, the English leader of the castle, Sir William Bullock, finally surrendered it.
The local court for Fife met at Cupar Castle until 1425.
