OS1/25/67/24

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 24

City of Perth -- Sheet 98.5.19

[Site of Cromwell's Citadel continued]
[continued from page 23]

In the year 1651, Cromwell, after he had defeated the King's troops in an engagement near Burntisland, marched directly to
Perth. He found the gates shut against him. His purpose was to besiege it, but, having proposed honourable terms to the
citizens, he obtained possession. In the following year he built a citadel on the South Inch, with the view of
keeping the place more effectually in subjection to him. It was strong, and had a commanding appearance. Its figure was square.
It had a bastion at each corner, and was surrounded with a rampart of earth, and a deep moat filled with water. It was
near to and connected with the river, and had a pier for loading and unloading vessels. "The entry towards the town had
an iron gate. The commanding officer ordered great trees to be cut down in the King's hunting-park at Falkland and brought
to the citadel. The school-house was demolished. It contained 360 scholars, was three stories high, with room for the
rector, doctor, and music master. They demolished the high wall of the Grayfriars, carried away the stones, with nearly 300
tomb-stones, and 140 dwelling-houses, with the garden walls; also the hospital, a stately building. The stone pillars and
abutments of the bridge, besides many kilns and fishing-boats, all were carried away to build the citadel. One hundred
and forty families were turned out of their houses, and had starved, if they had not been supplied by the town. The
surface of the two Inches, which yielded 2000 merks yearly for grass was carried off to build the ramparts."
Charles II upon his restoration to the throne, made a gift of the citadel, with "the whole arms, amunition, and others
therein", to the town, as an indemnification for the losses, which they had sustained by its erection, and in consider-
ation of their faithful services to his Majesty (28th. June 1661).
The place which the citadel occupied does not now appear, the trenches being filled up and the ground levelled. But
there are persons alive who distinctly recollect both its appearance and position in 1771. On Mr Buist's map of the city
and its environs, (1765) preserved in the Antiquarian Museum, its position is distinctly laid down.

[continued on page 25]