The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-09-22

HE most venerable OF Edin-
burgh's historical relics are
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-
tie preceded even the village Of mud
huts which originally sprung up under
its shelter, and which developed into
"Edwin's burgh'
Its earliest history is lost In cloud
Of legend and romance. The rock 10
believed to have been occupied with
fort by the aboriginal tribes prior to
the invasion Of the Romans.
It IL reasonable. indeed, to think
that o place SO well fitted by nature
for q fortress, commanding wide
view Of the country and Of the routes
north and south, would commend II
self from the earliest times for pur-
poses Of defense.
There Is a legend connecting 1t with
King Arthur Of round table fame, al
though the association does not come
down to US In quite SO localized
form az that which connects the great
sovereign Of romance with the hill
which bears the name Of Arthur's
Seat.
There are grounds for believing
that the rock was place OF strength
in the fifth century. And down to the
time of the introduction Of artillery II
was impregnable to assault II could
ueachery.
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 day or two after
she received the ddings OF the death
of her husband. and her body was car
ried out of the sallyport on the west
eru side and down the rocks while
Donald Bane, the usurper Of her sons
rights, Numbered at the main gate.
To that same sallyport. II 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
prominent part. II was captured
and recaptured again and again. and
many bold deeds were done by gal
liant Scots. II was associated closely
with the fortunes of Bruce. Three
times It was captured by Edward
Longshanks and three times II 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 II was recaptured
through brilliant and romantic
stratagem devised by William Bullock
and carried out by the Knight Of Lid
desdale. Sir Simon Fraser. and a
brave shipmaster Of Dundee. William
Curry.
Curry, pretending to be an English
wine merchant. offered to supply the
governor Of the castle with wine and
wheat. The offer was accepted Cur
~, pretending also to be afraid OF the
Scots, got permission to deliver his
cargo early In the morning. Before
II was light Douglas and a number OF
his followers concealed themselves In
the vicinity.
At daybreak Curry. Sir Simon Fras
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. whereupon Curry and
Fraser and their men set upon hin
and took his keys. opened the innel
gate. and placed the casks and ham
pers 90 that II could not be shut o.
the portcullis lowered. The sound q
the horn brought Douglas and his mel
from the foot Of the hill The garri
son BY this time was alarmed. and ,
desperate fight took place. The Scots
however. proved victorious
Several Of the Scottish sovereign
had q residence In the castle. Ever
after Holyrood was built they ver'
Glad at times - take refuge n tn,