Dunbar Castle

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Dunbar Castle is the remnants of one of the most mighty fortresses in Scotland, situated over the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian.

[edit] Early History

The Votadini or Gododdin, are thought to have been the first to defend this site, the Brythonic name Dyn Barr, the fort of the point is still in use. By the 7thc. Dunbar Castle was a central defensive position of the Kings of Bernicia, an Anglian kingdom that took over from the British Kingdom of Bryneich.

[edit] Northumbria

During the Early Middle Ages, Dunbar Castle was held by an Ealdorman owing homage to either the Kings at Bamburgh Castle, or latterly the Kings of York.

[edit] Kingdom of Scots

The first stone castle is thought to have been built by Gospatric, Earl of Northumbria, after his exile from England. This following the Harrowing of the North, by William the Bastard, Gospatric took refuge at the court of Malcolm II of Scotland. Gospatric was a powerful landowner in both kingdoms and could summon many men, which encouraged Malcolm to give him more lands in the Merse and Lauderdale, in return for those lost further south in return for loyalty. The Castle remained the stronghold of the Earls of Dunbar until the forfeiture of George Earl of march in 1457 when the Castle was dismantled to prevent its occupation by the English. It was restored by James IV later in the century but burnt by the Earl of Shrewsbury on a punitive raid during the Rough wooing.

Dunbar Castle was finally slighted by order of the Parliament of Scotland, following the debacle at Carberry Hill.