OS1/11/105/7

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 7
Parish of Canongate (Detached)

"The most ancient name which we find given to Edinburgh Castle according to Boetius is Castelh
Mynyd Agned or the fortress of the hill of the hill of Agnes and the hill itself Mynyd Agned Cathregonion
the hill Agned Agned nigh the fortress. Simeon of Durham writing in the year 854 mentions this fortress under
the name Edwinesburch or the Castle of Edwin probably so called after Edwin Prince of Northumberland who
flourished in 626 about which period probably the fortress was first built. In a copy of a very old French
map of Edinburgh the Castle is denominated Castrum Puellarum; tradition relating that the daughter of the
Pictish Kings were wont to be kept there as a place of safety."
Stat. Acct [Statistical Account] of Edinburgh Co. [County] 1845 Page 622

"The most ancient name which we find applied to Edinburgh Castle is Castelh Mynyd Agned
(Baetius Lib.1 t.12) importing in the language of the ancient Britons the
fortress of the hill of Agnes; and the hill itself Mynyd Agned Cathre-gonion i.e. The hill
Agned nigh the fortress. From this it may be plainly inferred, either that Edinburgh Castle was
built during the Christian aera or if previous to it that its ancient name was resigned and a new
one adopted in honour of St. Agnes. In an after age the Castle was distinguished by the appellation
of Castrum Puellarum (Foxdun lib. 5 c.26 Baetius lib. 1 Fr.12 Baetius, ut Supra.) because the daughters of
the Pictish Kings and Chiefs were said to be educated and Kept till their marriage in that place of
Strength, a necessary safe guard in such barbarous times and the town obtained the name of Edinburgh
Various Etymologies of the name have been given, Some of them absurd, and most of them unsatisfac-
-tory. It is said to have derived its name from 6th a King of the Picts (Boetius ut Supra) But that such a
person ever existed is uncertain. Others have attributed the name to Edwin a Saxon Prince of Northumbria
[Continued on page 8]

Transcriber's notes

This Name Book refers to Edinburgh 1852 - Sheet 35
OS large scale Scottish town plans, 1847-1895 - Scale: 1:1056