Fast Castle (7)
Needless to say, the concrete bridge is not original! It is however more or less in the same position that the drawbridge used to be, although the far end of the drawbridge was a bit further to the right. Notice how the 'tower', beyond and to the left, has been built out over the cliff edge in order to position the cannon it once contained so that it could defend the area directly in front of the castle as well as the draw-bridge.
Sir Patrick Home died about 1508/09, whereupon his son Cuthbert inherited Fast, although he had to return from "Turkie" first.
In 1510 "Alexander, bastard sonne to the king, newlie made archbishop of St Andrews, came from Flanders by sea into Scotland and was joifullie received. The lord of Fast castell came ouer with him, who had travelled through a great part of christendome; and moreouer passing into Turkie, came to the emperour of Turkie at the citie of Caire, who reteined him in seruice, and gaue him 'good interteinement, so that he remained with him, till he heard that the living of Fast castell was fallen to him by lawfull succession; notwithstanding that when he departed out of Scotland, there were eight seuerall persons before him to succeed one after another, which in the meane time were all deceased."
It would appear that Cuthbert had to pay a heavy ransom before he could return to Scotland. "Seven and forty sacks of wool of the Lammermoors, each sack weighing about 640 Ibs. troy, were shipped by his father at Leith, to be exchanged in England or on the Continent for gold to pay it."
Cuthbert did not live long to enjoy his succession, for he died on the field of Flodden by the hands of Lord Dacre, who in a letter to the Lords in Council wrote:
"Cuthbert Home of Fast castell was slayne be me and my folks on the field of Brankston (Flodden)."
Fast Castle (7)
Needless to say, the concrete bridge is not original! It is however more or less in the same position that the drawbridge used to be, although the far end of the drawbridge was a bit further to the right. Notice how the 'tower', beyond and to the left, has been built out over the cliff edge in order to position the cannon it once contained so that it could defend the area directly in front of the castle as well as the draw-bridge.
Sir Patrick Home died about 1508/09, whereupon his son Cuthbert inherited Fast, although he had to return from "Turkie" first.
In 1510 "Alexander, bastard sonne to the king, newlie made archbishop of St Andrews, came from Flanders by sea into Scotland and was joifullie received. The lord of Fast castell came ouer with him, who had travelled through a great part of christendome; and moreouer passing into Turkie, came to the emperour of Turkie at the citie of Caire, who reteined him in seruice, and gaue him 'good interteinement, so that he remained with him, till he heard that the living of Fast castell was fallen to him by lawfull succession; notwithstanding that when he departed out of Scotland, there were eight seuerall persons before him to succeed one after another, which in the meane time were all deceased."
It would appear that Cuthbert had to pay a heavy ransom before he could return to Scotland. "Seven and forty sacks of wool of the Lammermoors, each sack weighing about 640 Ibs. troy, were shipped by his father at Leith, to be exchanged in England or on the Continent for gold to pay it."
Cuthbert did not live long to enjoy his succession, for he died on the field of Flodden by the hands of Lord Dacre, who in a letter to the Lords in Council wrote:
"Cuthbert Home of Fast castell was slayne be me and my folks on the field of Brankston (Flodden)."