Tour Scotland Travel Video Winter Clan Maxwell Castle Southern Coast

Tour Scotland travel video Blog of Winter at the Clan Maxwell castle, a moated triangular castle, first built in the 13th century, on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit and trip to the southern coast, South of Dumfries. Caerlaverock was a stronghold of the Maxwell family from the 13th century until the 17th century when the castle was abandoned. It was besieged by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and underwent several partial demolitions and reconstructions over the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 17th century, the Maxwells were created Earls of Nithsdale, and built a new lodging within the walls, described as among the most ambitious early classical domestic architecture in Scotland. In 1640 the castle was besieged for the last time and was subsequently abandoned. Although demolished and rebuilt several times, the castle retains the distinctive triangular plan first laid out in the 13th century to control trade in early times. The name Maxwell originates from Maccus, a Norse chief and son of Undweyn, who gave his name to Maccuswell, a pool of the river Tweed near Kelso bridge. A grandson of Maccus, John Maxwell, became chamberlain of Scotland before dying in 1241, to be succeeded by his brother Aylmer. From Aylmer sprang many branches of the family throughout the south-west of Scotland. The Maxwell clan supported Robert the Bruce and fought at his side at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, under the clan chief of Eustace Maxwell. Herbert, the succeeding clan chief was knighted by James I for his services to the crown. The Maxwell family were created Earls of Nithsdale and the fifth earl, a staunch Jacobite, was captured at the Battle of Preston during the 1715 rising. He was taken to London, tried for treason and sentenced to death. On the eve of his execution he made a daring escape from the Tower of London, disguised as a serving woman. His wife assisted in this escape, and together they fled to the Continent, where they remained in exile.

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