“It pulls at my heart with its beauty and purpose.
It represents all I hold dear in a person, if that’s possible, heart, soul and
strength.” Laura
Reynolds, The Highlander’s English Woman
I knew I found
the right setting for my medieval ghost story, The Highlander's English Woman when I saw a picture of
Caerlaverock Castle.
Reading Caerlaverock’s
history I understood why the Maxwell family fought to hold it and why their
enemies had to destroy it.
Caerlaverock
Castle is a moated castle on the southern coast of Scotland in the Dumfries. The unique equilateral triangular design and
beauty of the castle, from the way it’s sited to its rich history, made
Caerlaverock the perfect setting for my stories, The Maxwell Ghost and The
Highlander’s English Woman.
There were
several original fortifications that preceded the current castle, a Roman fort
on Ward Law Hill and a British hill fort that was used until 950.
The earliest
mention of Caerlaverock is the 1160s, when the lands were granted to the monks
of Holm Cultram Abbey. Sixty years later, in 1220 the lands were granted to Sir
John Maxwell by Alexander II of Scotland.
The Maxwell
family has owned the Caerlaverock Castle ever since, but not without some
intrigue and adventure. The clan leader changed allegiances from Scotland to
England several times which resulted in sieges, destruction and rebuilding.
John Maxwell
began construction of the first castle at Caerlaverock. A traditional square
design with a moat and a north facing bridge, the building was one of the
earliest stone castles built in Scotland. Archeologists believe that this
castle was never completed when it was abandoned. This castle was built close
to the Solway Firth. Built on clay the wood pilings were not able to bear the
weight of the structure. In addition, the structure couldn’t be kept dry or
comfortable. Today, the foundations and part
of a wooden enclosure around it is all that remains.
Work began on
the new castle, six hundred feet south of the abandoned structure in 1260.
Construction on
the new (present) castle, on a solid rock outcropping and was completed in the
1270s. The castle’s first occupant was Herbert Maxwell, nephew of Sir John
Maxwell.
Caerlaverock was
the Maxwell family’s stronghold from the 13th to the 17th
centuries. It underwent several sieges over the centuries and was finally
abandoned in 1640. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, but
retained its triangular plan.
In 1299, Maxwell
forces from Caerlaverock Castle attached the English-held Lochmaben Castle.
Edward I retaliated in July 1300 and attacked Caerlaverock with 87 knights and
3,000 men. Eustace Maxwell, the clan chief repelled the English several times.
In the end, the garrison surrendered. King Edward was astounded that only sixty
men held his army off.
Caerlaverock
Castle remained in English hands until 1312 when the castle was returned to Sir
Eustace Maxwell who pledged allegiance to the English king, Edward II. Later, Eustace
switched his support to Robert the Bruce and the castle was unsuccessfully attacked
by the English.
Because of
Caerlaverock’s prime position on the England-Scottish border and the fear it
could fall into the hands of the English who would have a strong command of the
district, Sir Eustace dismantled the fortress, a sacrifice rewarded by Robert
the Bruce.
In 1337 the
castle was once again inhabited and once again the Eustace changed sides. About
1355 the castle was captured by the Scots.
The Maxwells
regained Caerlaverock after the Wars of Independence in the mid-14th
century. Between 1373 and 1410, Robert Maxwell rebuilt much of the castle. His
efforts were continued by Robert II in the mid-15th century.
In 1567, the
Maxwells supported Mary, Queen of Scots and Caerlaverock was once again under
siege by the English in 1570. The Earl of Sussex led the English forces and
demolished part of the castle.
In 1593, Lord
John Maxwell repaired the castle for defense against the Johnstones of
Annandale with whom he was feuding.
The Wars for
Independence were replaced by wars of religion. In 1634, religious turmoil
turned against the Catholic Maxwells. In 1640 the Protestant Covenanter army
attacked Caerlaverock for thirteen weeks forcing the castle to surrender. The
south wall and tower were demolished and the castle was never repaired or
reoccupied.
The castle
passed by inheritance to the Herries family and to the Duke of Norforlk. While
currently owned by Lady Mary Mumford’s sister Baroness Herries, since 1946 the
castle has been operated and managed by Historic Scotland. The castle remains
the ancestral home of the Maxwell family.
The Highlander's English Woman
Laura Reynolds and long-time friend of
Jamie Maxwell Collins are in love. She adores his playful sense of humor,
caring nature as well as his strong sense of honor. They have known each other
from the time Jamie trained with her older brother at their home on the English
side of Scottish border. Jamie has become an excellent soldier except he won’t
fight and while she knows him well, she has no idea why.
Jamie Maxwell Collins lives on the
Scottish side of the border. Carefree and open, he hides a dark secret so powerful
it could destroy his family and those he cares for. He can’t involve Laura in
this deception. He mustn’t give her hope for a future together. Instead, he ends
their relationship.
While visiting Jamie’s uncle, Laura
stumbles upon Jamie’s secret, but has nowhere to turn. The only person with the
answer, her brother is gone, killed on a Welsh battlefield. In her heart of
hearts she knows Jamie is innocent. Their relationship in tatters and with no
hope of reconciliation, she plays a deadly game to find a way to exonerate
Jamie even though it means agreeing to a political marriage. She has no idea the entire game has been orchestrated by her future
husband, Jamie’s greatest enemy.
Buy Links
Amazon https://amzn.com/B01LXYHNGS
iBook https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/highlanders-english-woman/id1158295266?mt=11 (http://apple.co/2eddatE)
