The mighty tower of Threave Castle lies on an island in the River Dee. INVESTIGATING Today it is a peaceful place, giving little hint of its THREAVE CASTLE turbulent past and key role in medieval Scotland. Information for Teachers investigating historic sites threave castle 2 The mighty tower of Threave Castle The ‘Black’ Douglas family, powerful lies on an island in the River Dee. and ambitious, came into conflict with Today it is a peaceful place, giving the monarchs of the time. After James Timeline little hint of its turbulent past and II murdered the 8th earl at Stirling, 1000s Island the key role in medieval Scotland. the 9th earl vowed to seek revenge. In residence of Fergus, lord Pupils will enjoy the walk through 1447 the defences at Threave had been of Galloway farmland, the boat trip across the fortified with a new artillery house, one 1308 Residence burned river and the chance to explore the of the first purpose-built gun defences by Robert the Bruce’s castle tower. in the British Isles. In 1455 their strength brother was tested. 1369 Threave built for Archibald ‘the Grim’ After attacking all other major Douglas Douglas, lord of Galloway Historical background strongholds, in June 1455, James II and 1400 ‘ The Grim’ dies The defensive advantages of an island his army besieged Threave, his final are obvious and it is likely that Threave target. The siege lasted for over two 1447 New fortifications months until the garrison was finally built island was inhabited from early times. The name Threave comes from an bribed to surrender. After this the castle 1452 James II murders became Crown property. 8th earl of Douglas at Old Welsh word meaning homestead, Stirling perhaps dating habitation here to In the 16th century the Maxwell family the 6th century, when Welsh was the 1455 James II besieges was made keeper of the castle. Their Threave for two months; language spoken locally. staunch Catholicism was seen as garrison bribed to Traditionally this is where Fergus, lord of suspicious in the post-Reformation surrender; Threave Galloway had his residence in the 11th years and in 1639 the castle was once annexed to Crown century. This building was destroyed again besieged by forces of Covenanters, 1460 James II killed at by the brother of Robert the Bruce in after Maxwell declared his support for siege of Roxburgh Castle 1308 after he defeated one of Fergus’ Charles I. Threave held out for 13 weeks, 1473 James III presents descendants in battle nearby. until Charles I himself authorised the castle to his wife, Queen surrender. Margaret In 1369 Archibald ‘the Grim’, lord of Galloway and later 3rd earl of Douglas Since that time the castle has not been 1502 James IV visits built Threave Castle as his strong and inhabited. It was taken into state care in 1526 Lord Maxwell defensive headquarters. However, he 1913. becomes keeper of spent little time here, much of his time Threave taken up with attendance at court and 1640 Threave besieged parliament. by Covenanters; surrendered after 13 weeks 1913 Threave taken into state care HISTORIC SCOTLAND education threave castle 3 Supporting learning and teaching A visit to Threave Castle is Before the visit Working on site particularly appropriate for teachers woking on class • It is helpful if pupils have some of When exploring the castle, in addition study topics such as: the architectural terminology of to our suggestions for discussion, • The Middle Ages castles as this makes discussion pupils should be encouraged to look on site easier. Words particularly critically at what they see and to make • Castles and test theories based on physical relevant to Threave might include: The Curriculum for evidence. Some general starting points battlement, spiral stair, latrine Excellence aspires to could include: motivate and challenge pupils closet, gun loops, arrow slits. • What materials were used to build through a wide range of Other useful words are: artillery, varied learning experiences. ammunition, garrison, siege. Pupils the castle? Why were these materials Site visits have a particular could produce an illustrated class chosen? Are there any materials which might have rotted away or role to play in joining up dictionary to explain these and learning outcomes across the been stolen since then? other terms. curriculum. A visit, and use of • Do you think this room has always the supporting materials, will • Without going into too much detail, looked like this? Can you see help to: it is worth discussing the Douglas anywhere it has been altered? Why • develop successful family and how they provided a might it have been changed? learners by challenging threat to the king. pupils to consider how life • What evidence is there for everyday has changed for people. • Help pupils gain a clearer grasp of life? It will help them to think the time scale by making a time Pupils can record evidence by taking critically about evidence line with them, counting back the notes, sketching, taking photographs, and arrive at their own centuries and then marking on key conclusions. recording impressions into a tape events in the history of the castle. recorder. • develop confident This could be added to after the On the Historic Scotland website: individuals. Pupils wilI visit. learn about aspects of their www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ community’s past, develop • Discuss the organisation of life in a education_unit teachers can find an understanding of social castle. Pupils could investigate the additional resources to help with work changes, establish some roles of the key castle ‘managers’: on site. These include compiling an of their own values and steward, constable or keeper, Evidence Record and a My Impressions communicate their views marshal and chaplain. Further Record. on different historical and social issues. details of this can be found in Suggestions for follow-up work the Historic Scotland publication • develop responsible Investigating Medieval Castles in Following the visit pupils can pool their citizens. It will help to findings in groups to create a fuller Scotland. increase pupils’ social record of the castle. This could form and historical knowledge • There is plenty of good evidence the basis for a range of presentation and understanding and on site relating to defending and activites, for example: encourage greater respect for their own historic and attacking castles. Discuss with pupils • A guide book or leaflet for future built environment. the range of ways that castles could visitors. be attacked and defended. • develop effective • A slide show with commentary. contributors by • Some children find it hard to grasp • Imaginative writing based on broadening pupils’ that a castle was ever anything knowledge and the lives of the people who lived other than a ruin. Discuss how wind understanding through or worked at the castle – even a investigative, creative and and weather can affect the look prisoner. critical thinking. of a building as well as the many • A series of drama sketches showing deliberate changes that people snapshots of life in the castle through choose to make to buildings as their the ages. use evolves. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education threave castle 4 Plan of Threave Castle On the trail of the Black Douglases Our suggested tour route guides you and your pupils around the site at Threave. After the introduction, it doesn’t really matter on the order in which you visit the locations, so you may prefer to split your class into groups and start at different points. After crossing the river and checking in with the steward, we suggest you visit these locations, marked on the plan to the right: 1. Introduction: Outside the Castle 2. Outside the Tower Based on drawing on 3. The Tower Entrance pp4/5 of plan, but with my numbers rather than theirs, 4. The Kitchen and Cellar plus ferry route and kiosk 5. The Hall marked. 6. The Artillery Tower 7. The Harbour Background information is given in the pack for each location. It is written in simple language so Reconstruction drawing of tower that it can be read aloud house to pupils if desired. Also included are suggested Cut-away reconstruction drawing questions for discussion. of tower house, as on pp8-9 of Allow about an hour for guidebook, with labels the tour. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education threave castle 5 Tour notes: On the trail of the Did you know... The Douglas family were Black Douglases close allies of Robert Leave the coach in the carpark. Walk along a well-surfaced path for about half a the Bruce. After he died, mile until it comes out at the River Dee. Ring a brass bell hanging by the river, which Archibald the Grim’s will summon a small boat from the island. After everyone has crossed, check in with father, the ‘Good Sir the site steward at the ticket kiosk. James’ Douglas was given Stand beside the information board closest to the kiosk. the task of taking Robert’s heart on a pilgrimage to Location 1: Outside the Castle the Holy Land. That’s why Background information for teachers. This can be read to pupils. they have a heart on their • This castle was built more than 600 ago for a man called Archibald Douglas. He shield. was the lord of Galloway but was known to his enemies as Archibald the Grim and to his friends as Lord Douglas. • When the castle was first built, several things would have looked a bit different. The river was much higher then, so the island would have been smaller. • There used to be lots of other buildings as well as the stone tower house. These were where all the servants lived and worked, and where guests stayed.There was probably a big hall here too, used for formal events.