Timeline
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c 1320 |
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Birth of Archibald Douglas |
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Archibald Douglas born. He is the illegitimate son of 'the Good'
Sir James Douglas, a loyal follower of King Robert the Bruce. Archibald
later acquires the nickname 'the Grim', because of his terrible
countenance in warfare. |
1362 |
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Archibald weds |
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Archibald marries Joanna Moray, a rich heiress, and through her acquires Bothwell Castle near Glasgow. |
1369 |
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Archibald promoted |
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David II of Scotland promotes Archibald Douglas
to the lordship of Galloway. Construction of Threave Castle begins
around this time. |
1384 |
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Archibald attacks Lochmaben castle |
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Archibald leads an assault on Lochmaben Castle in Annandale, and expels the occupying English garrison. |
1388 |
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Archibald inherits the earldom of Douglas |
1400 |
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Archibald dies at Threave Castle on Christmas Eve |
c 1450. |
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Building site |
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In the face of growing hostility
between the crown and the Douglas family, the hall complex at Threave
is pulled down to enable the construction of the artillery platform. |
1452 |
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James II kills the Earl of Douglas |
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James II stabs to death Archibald's descendant, William, 8th Earl of Douglas, at Stirling Castle. |
1455 |
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James II attacks the Douglases |
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James II leads a full-scale assault against the
Douglases, besieging and destroying the family's castles at Abercorn
and Inveravon. Threave withstands a two-month siege, but the garrison
is bribed into submission before the king's guns arrive. |
1455-1526 |
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Threave is held by the Scottish crown |
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The lordship of Galloway and Threave Castle are
annexed to the crown, which installs a succession of keepers at
the castle. |
1526 |
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Threave Castle granted to the Maxwells |
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The castle is granted to the Maxwell family, who
hold it until it is abandoned in 1640. |
1640 |
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Orders to dismantle Threave Castle
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Threave is held for Charles I during the Civil
War. After a 13-week siege, the castle is taken and ordered
to be dismantled. |
1948 |
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Threave Castle is taken into state care |
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Threave Castle is gifted
to the National Trust for Scotland. The castle is eventually placed
under the guardianship of Historic Scotland. |
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