Description:

Threave Castle was built in the 1370s by Archibald Douglas, known as “the Grim,” with strong defenses in mind. It became his stronghold after he became the Third Earl of Douglas, Lord of Galloway, and Warden of the West March. King James, however, resented the Douglases’ power and launched a systematic campaign against them. After their defeat at Arkinholm near Langholm, the 9th Earl was exiled, and James began dismantling all Douglas strongholds. This culminated in a two-month siege of Threave Castle in the summer of 1455, which James personally oversaw. While staying mainly at nearby Tongland Abbey, he had a tent erected at Threave. Despite heavy bombardment, including shots from a massive siege gun called the “Bombard,” the castle held out and only surrendered after the garrison commanders were promised payments and safe passage.