Strathaven Castle (5)
Records of he ownership of the rich barony of Strathaven go back to the 14th century, when it was owned by either the Baird or Fleming families - probably the former. It is thought that they built the first stone castle here (but not this one), at around that time, replacing an earlier earth and timber castle.
Those that know their early 14th century Scottish history, will know that Robert Bruce's most loyal supporter, was Sir James Douglas. The "Good Sir James" or the "Black Douglas" as he was also know, founded what would become the most powerful family in Scotland (until their spectacular fall at the hands of the Stewarts). The Good Sir James had no legitimate heirs however he had a younger brother Archibald, who was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill. Archibald's son William was created 1st Earl of Douglas and his son James became 2nd Earl of Douglas in his turn, but died without an heir at the otherwise successful (for the Scots) Battle of Otterburn. Surprisingly, the Douglas earldom passed to one of the Good Sir James' bastard sons - Archibald the Grim!
Archibald the Grim was born in (or around) 1328 and was therefore only about 2 when his father was killed on Crusade, while carrying the heart of Robert Bruce. (He had always wanted to go on crusade himself but on his death-bed, never having had the opportunity, asked his close friend the Good Sir James, to go himself and take his heart in a casket. The Douglases have worn the Bruce's heart on their coat of arms ever since.) Archibald the Grim unexpectedly inherited the Douglas earldom in 1388, by which time he was already 60. He had married in 1362, Joanna de Moravia, one of the greatest heiresses of the age, bringing with her lands in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Ross in the north, to Lanarkshire and Roxburghshire in the south. One of the Lanarkshire properties she brought to Douglas hands, was Strathaven!
Strathaven Castle remained in the hands of the Douglas family for a century. In 1437, Archibald's son, Sir James the Gross (who later became Earl of Angus) was created Earl of Avondale, and may perhaps have resided in the castle. In 1450, Strathaven became a Royal Burgh, as a reward for Douglas support and military aid to King James II, however, just five years later the House of Douglas "rebelled against the Crown and was brought down". According to 'Grays Chronicles', "in the month of March 1455, Strathaven Castle was burned down and the possessions of the Douglases were confiscated and given up to fire and sword".
Strathaven Castle (5)
Records of he ownership of the rich barony of Strathaven go back to the 14th century, when it was owned by either the Baird or Fleming families - probably the former. It is thought that they built the first stone castle here (but not this one), at around that time, replacing an earlier earth and timber castle.
Those that know their early 14th century Scottish history, will know that Robert Bruce's most loyal supporter, was Sir James Douglas. The "Good Sir James" or the "Black Douglas" as he was also know, founded what would become the most powerful family in Scotland (until their spectacular fall at the hands of the Stewarts). The Good Sir James had no legitimate heirs however he had a younger brother Archibald, who was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill. Archibald's son William was created 1st Earl of Douglas and his son James became 2nd Earl of Douglas in his turn, but died without an heir at the otherwise successful (for the Scots) Battle of Otterburn. Surprisingly, the Douglas earldom passed to one of the Good Sir James' bastard sons - Archibald the Grim!
Archibald the Grim was born in (or around) 1328 and was therefore only about 2 when his father was killed on Crusade, while carrying the heart of Robert Bruce. (He had always wanted to go on crusade himself but on his death-bed, never having had the opportunity, asked his close friend the Good Sir James, to go himself and take his heart in a casket. The Douglases have worn the Bruce's heart on their coat of arms ever since.) Archibald the Grim unexpectedly inherited the Douglas earldom in 1388, by which time he was already 60. He had married in 1362, Joanna de Moravia, one of the greatest heiresses of the age, bringing with her lands in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Ross in the north, to Lanarkshire and Roxburghshire in the south. One of the Lanarkshire properties she brought to Douglas hands, was Strathaven!
Strathaven Castle remained in the hands of the Douglas family for a century. In 1437, Archibald's son, Sir James the Gross (who later became Earl of Angus) was created Earl of Avondale, and may perhaps have resided in the castle. In 1450, Strathaven became a Royal Burgh, as a reward for Douglas support and military aid to King James II, however, just five years later the House of Douglas "rebelled against the Crown and was brought down". According to 'Grays Chronicles', "in the month of March 1455, Strathaven Castle was burned down and the possessions of the Douglases were confiscated and given up to fire and sword".