The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1911-09-22

those which crown the summit
of the Castle Rock. Long be-
fore there was a royal palace
or even a religious house Of Holyrood
there was a fortress here. The cas-
lie preceded even the village Of mud
huts which originally sprung up under
its shelter, n which developed into
"Edwin's burgh."
It's earliest history is lost in a cloud
of legend and The Q is
believed to have been occupied with a
fort by the aboriginal tribes prior to
the invasion of the Romans.
1t is reasonable, indeed, to think
that a place so we'll fitted by nature
for a fortress, commanding a wide
view of the country and of the routes
north and south, would commend It
self from the earliest times for pur-
poses Of defense.
There is a legend connecting it with
King Arthur of round table fame, al
though the association oes not come
down to us in quite SO localized a
form as that which connects the great
SOfeIGlSH vi lOuluuCc VII IA hli
which bears the name of Arthur's
Seat.
There are grounds for believing
that the rock was a place OF strength
In the fifth century. And down to the
time of the introduction Of artillery 1t
was impregnable to assault. 1t could
only be taken by surprise or through
treachery.
Reliable history really begins with
Malcolm Canmore, who built a resi-
dence here in the eleventh century.
There still exists a relic of his saint
ed consort. the early Norman chapel
Of st. Margaret, in which she passed
much of her time. In the castle the
queen died within a day or two after
she received the tidings of the death
of her husband, and her body was car
ried out of the sallyport on the west
ern side and down the rocks while
Donald Bane, the usurper OF her sons
rights, Numbered at the main gate.
To that same sallyport. If tradition
says true, Bonnie Dundee" climbed
many centuries afterward to talk to
the governor of the castle.
In the old wars between Scotland
and England Edinburgh castle played
a prominent part. 1t was captured
and re%captured again and again, and
many bold deeds were done by gal
liant Scots. 1t was associated closely
with the fortunes of Bruce. Three
times it was captured by Edward
Longshanks and three times it was
taken again by the Scots. Valiant
deeds were done here by the Douglas
and by Randolph in defense of the
independence Of their country.
A Brave Dundee shIpmaster.
In the reign of Edward III. the cas-
tie fell once more into the hands OF
the English, but 1t was recaptured
through a brilliant and romantic
stratagem devised by William Bullock
and carried out by the Knight Of Lid
desdale, Sir Simon Fraser. and q
brave shipmaster OF Dundee, Williar
Curry.
Curry, pretending to be an English
wine merchant, offered to supply the
governor OF the castle with wine anG
wheat. The offer was accepted. Cur
ry, pretending also to be afraid of the
Scots. got permission to deliver his
cargo early in the morning. Before
1t was light Douglas and a number Of
his followers concealed themselves IL
the vicinity.
At daybreak Curry, Sir Simon Tras
er and a few resolute Scots. all dress
ed In smocks, appeared at the gate
with barrels and hampers. The por
ter opened the outer gate and lowered
the drawbridge, w%hereupon Curry ant
Fraser and their men set upon hin
and took his keys, opened the innel
gate. and placed the casks and ham
pers 30 that 1t could not be shut OF
the portcullis lowered. The sound q
the horn brought Douglas and his mer
from the foot Of the hill. The garri
son by this time was alarmed, and 1
desperate tight took place. The Scots
however. proved victorious.
Several Of the Scottish sovereign,
had . residence In the castle. Ever
,itsr Holyrood VA built they werv
glad ct times 70 take refuge In th,