OS1/13/29/21

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
Site of FALKLAND CASTLE Falkland Castle Site of
Falkland Castle Site of
Falkland Castle Site of
Falkland Castle Site of
Mr F Deas
Mr F Howden
Mr C Gullen
New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account]
Full. [Fullerton's] Gazetteer
016 Continued from page 19
[Situation] At the town of Falkland
"At an early period, the Earls of Fife had a residence here, called the Castle of Falkland. Not a vestige of this building now remains, but its site appears to have been in the immediate neighbourhood of where the palace was afterwards built, on a part of what now forms the Garden of Mr Bruce. This fortalice had in effect the honours of a palace, while it was occupied by one of the blood-royal, Robert. Duke of Albany, who for 34 years, had all the power of the State in his hands, under the different titles of Lieutenant general, governor and regent. It was in fact the seat of authority; for his aged and infirm father constantly resided in the island of Bute. It receives its first notoriety in the history of our country, from the horrid cruelty here perpetrated by Albany on his Nephew, David Duke of Rothsay, eldest son of Robert III. The governor, in consequence of the great promise of this young prince, fearing that he would prove the rival of his power used the basest means to prejudice his imbecile father against him, and prevailed with him to issue an order to erect and confine him for some time, it being represented to him that this was necessary for curbing the violent humours of the youth. Being inveigled, under false pretences, into Fife, he was shut up in the tower of Falkland, where he was consigned to the cruel fate of dying by famine. His life was for some days feebly sustained by means of thin cakes, pushed through a small crevice in the wall, by a young woman, daughter to the governor of the Castle; but her mercy being viewed by her ruthless father in the light of perfidy to him, she was put to death. Even this brutal act did not deter another tender hearted female, employed in the family as a wet nurse, who supplied him with milk from her breasts by means of a long reed until she, in like manner, fell a sacrifice to her compassion." Full [Fullerton's] Gazetteer of Scotland

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 21

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

Moira L- Moderator, Jill S, AishaA