Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/83

INTRODUCTORY 63 FIRST PERIOD ever a strong tower was required, the plan of the old Norman keep was adopted. There is ample historical evidence of the construction of castles in Scotland in the twelfth century. Alexander i. and David i. are well known as great church-builders, and it is on record that they also erected many royal castles. The great feudatories also followed their example, and erected castles on their domains. It is most likely, however, that these consisted chiefly of earthworks, defended with wooden palisades or rough walls of uncemented stone-work. It is, no doubt, remarkable that while many fine specimens of ecclesi- astical architecture of the twelfth century remain, there is not one example of the civil or military architecture of the period to be found in the country. On the other hand, it must be kept in mind that the Norman walls were of such solid construction that, had any been built in Scotland at that period, they would probably have still survived. The thirteenth century was an exceptionally prosperous one in Scot- land. Alexanders n. and nl., whose reigns were long and comparatively peaceful, being little engaged in war with England, had leisure to estab- lish a settled government in their kingdom. They also encouraged Englishmen and Normans to settle in Scotland ; and the trade of the country, both with England and the Continent, seems to have been con- siderable. Hill Burton is of opinion that the country was comparatively wealthy at this period, and more prosperous than it ever was till after the union with England. It is, therefore, quite natural that some signs of this unwonted pros- perity should be traceable in the castles of the nobles of the period, and we shall see that this was the case. While friendly with the south, Alexanders n. and HI. were greatly engaged in contests in the north and in the western islands, which they were desirous to rescue from the Norsemen. Alexander n. died at Kerrara in 1249, while engaged in one of these expeditions. In order to secure the dominions thus reclaimed, castles were built. Thus we find that William the Lion built the two castles of Edindour and Dunskaith, near Cromarty, in 1 1 79, for repressing insurrection in Ross. Urquhart Castle, on Loch Ness, was also originally a royal castle. Dun- staffnage and Inverlochy, which still exist, belong to the thirteenth century, having the great walls of enceinte strengthened with round towers, which distinguish that period. Professor Cosmo limes, in his Scotland in tlie Middle Ages, mentions the following fortresses as existing in the thirteenth century, viz., Duffus and Bocharm in Moray ; Ruthven and Lochindorb in Badenoch ; Strath- bolgie, Fyvie, Inverurie, Kildrummie, and others in Aberdeenshire ; Kincardine, Brechin, Redcastle, Forfar, Glammis, Leuchars, Craill, St. Andrews, on the east coast ; Dumbarton, Bothwell, Douglas, Rothesay,