Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter ii. early history of the castle. "O! now doth death line his dead chaps with steel, The swords of soldiers are his teeth, his fangs; And now he feasts, mousing the flesh of men, In undetennin'd differences of Kings." shakspere. The origin of Lochleven Castle is, on account of its extreme remoteness, involved in impenetrable obscurity. It is said to have been built during the Pictish period by Congal, King of the Picts, whose reign extended from 511 to 535; but if so, the original building must have been removed and replaced by one of much more modern construction. The keep or square tower as at present existing partakes of the Norman character, and was most probably erected during the eleventh or twelfth centuries. Originally this tower formed in all likelihood the only building on the Island; and, with its encircling waters, its great massive walls, and having its only possible access perched some 25 feet above the ground level, it must have proved, against the then known modes of attack, an almost impregnable stronghold. No doubt, as time advanced, and as the necesssity for further accommodation led to the erection of buildings adjacent to and under the immediate protection of the keep, the necessity also arose for a surrounding rampart, enclosing and protecting the whole buildings. The ramparts are clearly of a more modern date than the "keep," and, from a very superficial examination of these, it is evident that various changes have from time to time been made on them in order to enlarge the enclosed space. These alterations have been made in a rough and ready way, which has rendered the walls somewhat rude and irregular, although they are certainly strong enough in structure. The round tower in the south-east corner of the...