Volunteers breaking ground in the shadow of the abbey tower. © GUARD Archaeology Ltd
Posted on 03/22/2014 5:23:22 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The Abbey is one of the few places specifically mentioned in the near contemporary accounts of the Battle of Bannockburn. It was here that Robert the Bruce kept his army’s baggage prior to the Battle of Bannockburn, though it is possible that this was also where supplies related to the on-going siege of Stirling Castle by the Scots were stored (it was to relieve the siege that Edward II brought his army to Bannockburn).
The Abbey was later the location for a series of important parliaments during the rule of Robert I. The first of these, in November 1314, saw Robert disinherit all the nobles holding lands in Scotland who were not present at the parliament; this included the sons of those who had died fighting for Edward II at Bannockburn, while any who were not present were judged to have declared themselves as Edward’s subjects rather than Robert’s.
Metal detecting survey
The metal-detecting survey covered an area of 17 hectares across the fields to the south and west of Cambuskenneth Abbey. There were a total of 1,044 finds retained; these included 36 coins, one of which was provisionally identified as a silver Henry III coin (1251-1272) and another was identified as an Edward I/II coin that was minted in London during the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. Either of these coins, but especially the Edward I/II coin, were in circulation at the time of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, and could derive from booty taken from the defeated English army.
Two possible cannon shot were also found, as were 22 buttons and 3 buckles, yet to be dated. Some of these latter items, like the Henry III and Edward I/II coins, could well have been dropped by soldiers involved in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
(Excerpt) Read more at pasthorizonspr.com ...
Volunteers breaking ground in the shadow of the abbey tower. © GUARD Archaeology Ltd
That was one of the bloodiest periods in Scots History.
I am always interested in it, would love to really visit it. Not the English/Irish\Wales/Scot tour package stuff. Just Scotland.
Me too!.....Just Scotland
If I ever have the option, I’ll tour the whole British Isles for the ruins (particularly the Roman and prehistoric stuff), Shakespearean sites, the Tate Gallery, and the Arthurian connection sites. I might be gone a while.
FMCDH(BITS)
Thanks-very interesting article. I’ll likely never have the dollars or time, but if I did, it would just be the Roman and Arthurian sites in England-but all of Scotland...
If I ever have the option, I’ll tour the whole British Isles for the ruins (particularly the Roman and prehistoric stuff), Shakespearean sites, the Tate Gallery, and the Arthurian connection sites. I might be gone a while.
***
So much cultural and political history. So many, many sites I must see. And I am just talking about England now. After we do our tour of England, I’ll start my list for Ireland and Scotland.
I keep telling my husband that when we do go to England I want to spend a few months there. Of course, he wants to know where I have hidden the bags of gold I must think we have.
:’)
My pleasure!
Win a Brilliant Historic Break for two to Orkney
http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/win/orkneycurrentarchaeology/
Located this castle where my ancestor, James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn was born to John Stewart of Bonkill & Elizabeth de Burgh (who was a descendent of Robert the Bruce). Sir John built Castle Stalker. I assume that their sons, Robert & James were born there.
James married Joan Beaufort, the widow of James I. There was some intrigue involved. However James and Joan were my forebears. Somehow it was exciting to find their castle.
Thanks!
According to Wiki, a scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed there!
LOL, I didn’t see that, but it makes sense. Apparently it is privately owned and they still allow tourists. So it may be one of the few that old that is still mostly in one piece. I have known for some time that James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn was my ancestor. The other day I was thinking about him and I thought, “I wonder if he had a castle and if so, where was it and is it still standing.” So I dug around and found it. I was very excited. And that is when I also stumbled across that James’ mother was a descendent of Robert the Bruce. (The cad who double-crossed Mel Gibson. Don’t think I can forgive him for that. Mel Gibson!? My hero.)
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