Dumfries, 'paradise'

NX 9766 7471 There is a mound between the supposed bailey of Castledykes (NX 97SE 2.00) and the Paradise motte (NX 97SE 19), named the Saddle on early OS editions. The top of the mound is 20m equidistant, parallel and similar in width to an indentation in the crest at Castledykes immediately E, and a trapezoidal projection of Paradise immediately W. The Saddle is aligned NNW to SSE, 35 x 18m base, 17 x 4m top, about 3m high, on sloping ground between the two earthworks. The inturn in the crest of Castledykes, between an outwork N and what appears to be a semi-circular bastion S, is 20m wide, and crest of the trapezoidal projection from Paradise is 15m. This symmetry suggests the Saddle might have been a bridge pylon linking the two earthworks. It is generally assumed that Paradise, comprising a semi-natural motte and small bailey S, is older than Castledykes. However, they are less than 40m apart, and Paradise is unlikely to have been excluded from Castledykes' defences when it was used as a supply base by Edward I of England. To the SE of the Paradise bailey at NX 9766 7467 is a low mound contained within the same curved scarp on W and SW, so that altogether Paradise is D-shaped with a 60m long axis by up to 40m. The curve is co-aligned with the N and S ends of the mound at Castledykes, and suggests that together Castledykes and Paradise formed a triangle, summit sides 130m on N, 135m on E and 150m on SW. Either there was originally a triangular motte here, modified by slighting or remodelling, or the Paradise earthworks were adapted as a barbican to Castledykes, with the Saddle part of the connecting bridge. Castledykes was Edward's intended destination when he died at Burgh bySands on 7 July 1307.

Report and plan deposited with RCAHMS. (Acq No 2007/170).

Dr T C Welsh, 2007.