Roxburgh Castle facts for kids
Roxburgh Castle is an old royal castle that is now in ruins. It stands high above where two rivers, the Tweed and the Teviot, meet in the Borders area of Scotland. A town called Roxburgh grew up around the castle. The Scots completely destroyed both the town and the castle after they captured it in 1460. Today, you can see the castle ruins on the land of Floors Castle. This is the home of the Duke of Roxburghe, and it's just across the river from Kelso.
Contents
History of Roxburgh Castle
Early Years and English Control
People believe that King David I built Roxburgh Castle. We first hear about it around 1128, during his time as king. In 1174, the castle was given to England. This happened after William I, the Scottish king, was captured at Alnwick. Because of this, the castle was often controlled by the English for many years.
The Scots tried many times to get their fortress back. King Edward I of England even imprisoned Mary Bruce in a cage outside the castle from 1306 to 1310.
The Black Douglas's Clever Attack
A famous event happened on February 19, 1314. Sir James Douglas, also known as the "Black Douglas," led a surprise night attack. His men wore black cloaks, which made them look like cattle in the darkness. This tricked the English guards! The Scots then used ropes and wooden ladders to climb over the castle walls. They successfully took the castle back.
After this victory, King Robert the Bruce ordered the castle to be pulled down. His brother, Edward Bruce, Earl of Carrick, carried out the order. A old record, the Lanercost Chronicle, says that "all that beautiful castle the Scots pulled down to the ground." They did this to stop the English from ever using the castle to control the land again.
Later Battles and Destruction
However, the English recaptured Roxburgh Castle during the Second War of Scottish Independence. In 1334, Edward III of England used it as his main base during a winter battle against the Scots. The Scots tried to take it back in 1417, which meant the castle needed repairs.
In 1460, the Scots attacked Roxburgh again. During this fight, James II of Scotland, the Scottish king, was killed by flying metal pieces from one of his own large cannons, called a bombard. Even with their king gone, the Scots still managed to storm Roxburgh and capture the castle. James's queen, Mary of Guelders, then ordered the castle to be completely destroyed.
The Nine Years War Fort
In 1545, during a war known as the Nine Years War (also called the Rough Wooing), the English built a new fort on the site. This was done by the English commander Ralph Bulmer under orders from the Earl of Hertford. This fort was rectangular and meant to be a strong base. However, this English fort was also destroyed in 1550, as part of the Treaty of Boulogne.
Roxburgh Castle Today
Today, the ruins of Roxburgh Castle are on the land of Floors Castle, which is the home of the Duke of Roxburghe. What's left is mostly a large mound of earth, with only small pieces of stone walls still standing, especially on the south side.
The story of the castle's capture in 1314 was one of the inspirations for a book called "The Three Perils of Man" by James Hogg.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Roxburgo para niños
