Archaeology Notes

Event ID 713514

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/713514

NT27SE 26 25 73.

(Name at NT 2760 7390) There are incidental references to a town or burgh near Edinburgh Castle in charters of the 12th century; although the town is a Royal Burgh no charter of foundation exists. That there was any earlier town-like community on the site before the emergence of the burgh is improbable.

Before, during, and after the War of Independence the town, castle and abbey, were repeatedly sacked and burned by the English. Although Edinburgh had been made a burgh in 1385 by Robert II it was not until the middle of the 15th century that it was officially recognised as the capital of the kingdom.

The removal of the Court to England on the union of the crowns (1603) was a blow to the prestige and prosperity of the town. In 1633 Charles I was crowned King of Scotland at Holyrood, and in 1650 Charles II was proclaimed at the Cross with much enthusiasm.

The town was walled at an early date, probably before 1160; additional walls were constructed c.1427, c.1450, c.1514 - the final addition known as the 'Telfer Wall' was built between 1628-1636 (see NT27SE 14).

RCAHMS 1951; Harinsworth 1906.

Medieval Town of Edinburgh

Components:-

Castle NT27SE 1

Palace of Mary of Guise 2

17th century Weight House (site of) 3

16th century Tolbooth (site of) 4

Parliament House 1636 AD 5

Medieval graveyard 6

15th century Lukenbooths (site of) 7

Medieval market cross (remains of) 8

Black Turnpike 15th century (site of) 9

John Knox's Grave 1592 AD 10

St Mary's Chapel 16th century (site of) 11

Place of public execution 17th century 12

George Heriot's Hospital school 13

Medieval Town Wall 14

Bowfoot Well 17th century 16

Holyrood chapel (site of) 17

Buchanan's Grave, 1582 AD 18

Covenater's Prison, 1679 AD (site of) 19

Collegiate church of St Mary's 13th c. (site of) 20

Greyfriars Monastery 15th century (site of) 22

St Mary Magdalene chapel 16th century(remains of) 23

Taylors' Hall 15th century 25

Mint of Scotland 1574 (site of) 31

Blackfriars Monastery 1230 (site of) 51

John Knox's House 16th century 57

Tweeddale House 16th century 58

Gladstone's Land 16th century 63

Lady Stair's House 17th century 64

Cardinal Beaton's House 16th century (site of) 65

St Mary's convent 15th century (site of) 71

Maison Diev 16th century (site of) 72