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Castle

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Threave

History | Timeline | Highlights | Find out More | Time Traveller's Guide

Timeline

c.1320 Birth of Archibald Douglas


Archibald Douglas born. He is the bastard 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 Archibald weds


Archibald marries Joanna Moray, a rich heiress, and through her acquires Bothwell Castle near Glasgow.

1369 Archibald promoted


David II of Scotland promotes Archibald Douglas to the lordship of Galloway. Construction of Threave Castle begins around this time.

1384 Archibald attacks Lochmaben castle


Archibald leads an assault on Lochmaben Castle in Annandale, and expels the occupying English garrison.

1388 Archibald inherits the earldom of Douglas.


1400 Archibald dies at Threave Castle on Christmas Eve.


c.1450 Building site


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 James II kills the Earl of Douglas


James II stabs to death Archibald's descendant, William, 8th Earl of Douglas, at Stirling Castle.

1455 James II attacks the Douglasses


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 Threave is held by the Scottish Crown


The lordship of Galloway and Threave Castle are annexed to the Crown, which installs a succession of keepers at the castle.

1526 Threave Castle granted to the Maxwells


The castle is granted to the Maxwell family, who hold it until it is abandoned in 1640.

1640 Orders to dismantle Threave Castle


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 Threave Castle is taken into state care.


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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