Carnwath and Canbusnethan
COUTHALLY CASTLE
Endowed to Sir John Somerville, 4th Baron of Linton and 1st Baron of Carnwath (born 1283 died 1347) through marriage in 1317 to Lady Elizabeth Douglas.
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| St Marys Aisle Carwath Scotland |
Sir John received in 'tocher' (dowry) the "town and lands of Carnwath, to hold ward by King Robert the Bruce". Couthally had been built by James Douglas of Loudin Hill, Kinnoull, Carnwarth and Calderclear (estates) and was burnt down prior to 1314 during a time of tremendous turmoil in the southern border region of Scotland. Sir John, finding the castle in poor repair, built a 'Dower' House near Carnwath in 1320, prior to this the Somerville residence known as Carnwath Castle was across the road from the family church, St. Mary's Aisle which stood on the site of the original Norman church built in 1167 by William De Summervill, grandson of Sir Rodger, 5th Baron of Whichenour, 4th in line to Sir Gualter De Summervill who received extensive lands in England as reward for his support of William the Conqueror in 1066. It is worth noting here that the town and lands of Carnwath were named after William's father, also named William who built a defensive structure on a cairn in the woods around Carnwath, the name meaning "cairn-in-the-woods" hence "Carnwath".
Over the years Sir John set about restoring the castle adding a second tower about 1350. The biggest repairs were carried out by Lord Thomas, 7th Baron of Linton, 4th of Carnwath,2nd of Cambusnethan and 1st Lord of Carnwath in 1415. He enlarged the castle with a double ditch (moat) "both broad and deep". A third tower was built by William 5th Baron of Carnwath circa 1460. All three towers had been joined by a 'barakine wall one ell thick and six ells high" built by Sir Walter, 2nd of Carnwath and 5th of Linton in 1375. Later they were joined by galleries, stores, quarters, and the Big House. The only entrance to the Castle was from the west through a drawbridge separated by an outer court of office buildings, blacksmiths shop, cartwrights sheds and stables etc.
The next
major repair was in 1524 when Sir Hugh, 5th Lord built a Great Hall joining the
North tower to the East tower, mainly to entertain his Royal guests, namely
Kings James the 3rd and 4th, the latter having stayed at Couthally in 1532.
This Hall or House took three years to build and in 1528 another Hall was built
joining the East tower to the Great Hall on the South. This Hall was a gallery
for the exhibition of tapestries and portraits. The Somerville's reputation as
bountiful hosts led to the Castle being referred to as "Cow-daily"
reflecting the abundant feasts laid on by the Lord of Carnwath. An account of a
vist by James III in 1474 states that "the neighouring Lairds and gentry,
on hearing of the coming of their King hurried to Couthally to tender loyalty,
and to join in the feast, sport, hawking,etc. Lord Somervilles entertainments
were alway on a large scale, but on this occasion, with Royalty as his guest,
it far outshone any former entertainment". The feast lasted for three days
and we are told that "the fare was unusually sumptuous, - three cows,
besides many sheep etc. were consumed daily during the Kings visit, when three
hundred or more persons dined every day".
Prior to
1586, Hugh, youngest son of Lord Hugh 7th, had been installed in Couthally as
his preferred heir, Lord Hugh referring to his eldest son Gilbert as a
"drunkard and a ne'er-do-well". During his time at Couthally young
Hugh took the roof off the gallery and raised it to four storeys to conform
with the remainder of the Castle, he also added windows and enlarged others.
Gilbert unsuccessfully challenged his fathers decision a number of times, but
for reasons unknown Lord Hugh later changed his mind and named Gilbert as his
successor. Young Hugh refused to leave the Castle and just one month after his
fathers death Gilbert laid seige to the castle with the help of the
Cambusnethan Somervilles and the Hamiltons of Raploch, Stirling. They brought
cannons and various arms to Couthally and for three days Couthally resounded to
gun and cannon fire. Cannon balls fired from within the castle are reputed to
have been found a mile away. Hostilities were halted by a messenger from the
King and an overseer (Robert Somerville of Overcallo) was appointed until a
solution could be found. Gilbert was found to rightful heir and promptly moved
in. Hugh 7th Lord gave his younger son Hugh (technically 9th Lord) the Estates
of Gilmerton, Drum and Gutter (Goodtrees near Mordun) in Midlothian in 1593 as
compensation for installing Gilbert as heir to the title and barony of Carnwath.
Young Hugh left Couthally and took up residence at Drum House near Edinburgh, a
magnificent and stately Mansion which passed out of the family circa 1860.
Through a
succession of bad decisions, neglect, providing for a large number of ruffian
friends, gambling drinking and wild parties (to name but a few of this poor
creatures bad attributes) Gilbert had, by 1702 lost one estate after another.
In that year he was hoodwinked into selling the Carnwath Estates to the Earl of
Mar, who himself is alleged to have had few scruples. Shortly after this the
castle fell into disuse and quickly became a ruin. Two carved stones, one
portraying Mary Queen of Scots and another, depicting May Maitland wife of Hugh
6th Lord where taken to Ampherlaw House where they still remain in surprisingly
good condition. Ampherlaw being at that time in the possession of the
Somerville family. Another stone, in slightly worse condition is in the garden
of Drum House which was built by Hugh 6th Lord in 1585. After paying off his debts
Gilbert retired to a small house near Cambusnethan where he died in 1618.
Despite successive heirs the title lay dormant until 1722 when James 13th Lord
laid claim.
All this
is but a small part of the rich pageant of history available to todays Somervilles.
I am hopeful that if the Castle Project gets off the ground we might have more
time (and perhaps the means) to get a lot more of the history of our clan to
those who are interested.
