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The earliest recorded castle at Stirling
was used by Malcolm Canmore in the 11th century. Alexander I died here
in 1124, as did William the Lyon in 1214. Edward I of England captured
the castle in 1304 when he used a siege engine called the "War Wolf",
even though the garrison had already surrendered. William Wallace took
the castle for the Scots, but it was retaken by the English until the
Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Robert the Bruce had the castle slighted,
but it was rebuilt by Edward III of England, after his victory of
Halidon Hill in 1333, in support of Edward Balliol. The English garrison
was besieged in 1337 by Andrew Moray, but it was not until 1342 that the
Scots recovered the castle. James III was born here in 1451. James II
lured the 8th Earl of Douglas to it in 1452, murdered him, and had his
body tossed out of one of the windows, despite promising safe conduct.
It is here, in the Old Chapel, that Mary was crowned Queen of Scots on
9th September 1543, before being taken to France. She was later to spend
some time in the castle.
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The tour to
Stirling Castle, on Sunday 6th July, will also include a visit to the site of the Battle of
Bannockburn.
Entry to both will be by private arrangement.
View Douglas History in a larger map
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