Aberdeen Castle
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| Aberdeen Castle (destroyed c.1308) | |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen, Scotland | |
 Castlegate, Aberdeen | |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Destroyed, no remains. |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 57°08′57″N 02°05′25″W / 57.14917°N 2.09028°W |
| Site history | |
| In use | until c.1308 |
| Demolished | c.1308 |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Variously between Scottish and English troops. |
Aberdeen Castle was a late Middle Ages fortification,[1] in Aberdeen, Scotland.[2] It was situated on Castle Hill, a site today known as the Castlegate, and the location of the castle is now occupied by blocks of flats.[3]
It is thought the castle and fortifications were slighted[4] by King Robert the Bruce as was his policy on recaptured castles in June 1308, during the Wars of Scottish Independence immediately following the Harrying of Buchan. Bruce and his men laid siege to the castle before massacring the English Garrison to prevent its use by the English troops of Edward II. It is said the Scots showed no mercy but "slew every man who fell into their hands. Edward I, indeed, had already set the example of executing his prisoners. It was not to be expected that the other side would fail to follow the same course"[5] However, as of August 1308, Gilbert Pecche and the last troops were allowed to leave Aberdeen; though this is unlikely to be accurate.[1] On 10 July 1308, English ships left Hartlepool to help the English garrison.[6]
Legend tells that the city's motto, Bon Accord, came from the password used to initiate Bruce's final push and destruction of the castle.[7][8]
Surrender to the English
The castle was surrendered to the English in 1295, and on 14 April 1296, the English King, Edward I arrived in Aberdeen and stayed in the castle as part of his campaign in the east coast of Scotland, having defeated the Scots.[9]
