Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/100

FIRST PERIOD 80 ROTHESAY CASTLE was besieged and retaken by David n. in 1346. After the Battle of the Standard it again fell into Edward's hands, till Archibald Douglas, Lord of Galloway, reduced it, and expelled the English in 1384. At the Fio. 56. Lochmaben Castle. View of Entrance Front. attainder of the Douglases in 1455 it became a royal castle. In 1588 it was besieged and taken by James vi. from Lord Maxwell, and the governorship granted to the Earl of Annandale. Mr. Hope Johnstone of Annandale is now the Hereditary Keeper of the castle. ROTHESAY CASTLE, BUTESHIRE. The origin of this most remarkable castle is involved in obscurity. It is said to have been erected in very early times to resist the encroach- ments of the Norsemen. In the time of Alexander in. it was attacked by the Norwegians with eighty ships, and taken, but was retaken after the Battle of Largs in 1263. It was also taken and retaken several times in the wars of Bruce and Baliol. Rothesay Castle was a favourite residence of Robert n. and Robert in. in the fourteenth century, but there are no records in the Exchequer Rolls of outlay connected with it. In 1398 King Robert created his son David the first Duke of Rothesay, a title still retained by the Prince of Wales. The castle was destroyed by Argyll in 1685. The mildness of the climate of Rothesay, and the sheltered position of its bay, have made it a desirable place of residence at all times. Being on an island also added