Week 17- Favorite Place

 Week 17 - Favorite Place

This was actually a very difficult prompt. I was torn between the family homestead where I grew up (which most relatives who might read this already know about) or something from Scotland when I visited a couple years ago.  I wouldn't be able to settle on one favorite place in Scotland - I visited both the Closeburn (Kirkpatrick) Castle and had a tour, and visited the Caerlaverock Castle - also tied to the Kirkpatrick's. These places were very different from each other. 

Caerlaverock is in ruins, but very peaceful and fun to climb around in - and it had a moat!

There is a legend attached to this castle, or maybe it was the earlier one (the foundation of the earlier castle is also on this property):

Many Kirkpatrick's know the story of Roger Kirkpatrick with Robert de Bruce and the murder of Red Comyn in Greyfriars Church in Dumfries; after all, that’s where we got the bloody dagger as the coat of arms and the motto “I mak siccar.”  However, there’s more to the story.

First, for those who may not know about the Red Comyn murder, here’s the story.

Edward I of England was the ruler over both England and Scotland.  The Scots were oppressed, so a rebellion was ensuing.  Those who were considered candidates for the Scottish crown were Robert de Bruce and Red Comyn, who struck a deal: Bruce suggested, “Support my title to the crown and I will give you all my lands, or give me all your lands and I will support your title to the crown.” Because Comyn’s claim to the crown was weaker, he chose the land in exchange for supporting Bruce. They took an oath of fidelity and secrecy, which Comyn broke by going to Edward I and telling him of the agreement. 

After escaping the wrath of Edward I, Bruce met Comyn at the Dumfries church, along with several barons, which included Roger Kirkpatrick and James Lindsay. The meeting turned into an argument, which escalated into a fight, where Bruce stabbed Comyn in front of the high altar. Bruce ran to get his horse and said, “I doubt that I have slain Comyn.”  It is said that Kirkpatrick responded, “Doubtest thou? I mak siccar.” (I’ll make sure.) Kirkpatrick and Lindsay both went in, and Kirkpatrick killed Comyn while Lindsay killed one of Comyn’s relatives - I think an uncle.  This happened in 1306. I’ve been to where this took place - it’s now a parking lot, but with a sign that says “Comyn Court.” There is a more recent Greyfriars Church near the location, and a plaque that credits Kirkpatrick with killing Comyn. (below)

Now here’s the rest of the story.  In true Macbethian fashion, it is said there was a prophecy.  After the murder, the Dominican monks watched over the corpse of Comyn, and a night after his death, all but one had fallen asleep.  The one old monk who remained awake heard a voice “like an infant in distress exclaim: ‘How Oh Lord, shall vengeance be deferred?’” Another voice responded, “Endure with patience, till the anniversary of this day shall return a fifty-second time.” Flash forward fifty two years, and the son of Roger Kirkpatrick (also named Roger) offered hospitality to the son of James Lindsay at Caerlaverock Castle.  For some reason, (some stories suggest a love triangle between Kirkpatick, Lindsay, and Kirkpatrick’s wife) Lindsay arose in the night and stabbed Kirkpatrick to death as he slept.  Lindsay then took off on his horse and rode all night until daybreak, but oddly enough was captured only three miles from the scene of the crime. Lindsay was put to death for the murder.

From  Kirkpatrick, Charles. Records of the Closeburn Kirkpatricks. The Grimsay Press, 2004.

 Closeburn is currently lived in by the Spanish branch of the Kirkpatrick's.  They allow tour companies to provide tours, and people can also spend the night there.  (I'm too chicken because it's haunted.) I got to meet Maria who is the stepdaughter to the baron who owned it. He recently passed away:

Y MendaroKIRKPATRICK,Patrick Miguel Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Baron of Closeburn, died peacefully on 4th February 2021. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Maria Jesus de Sepulveda, his step-daughter Maria, his son-in-law, Joseph, and by grandchildren Pepe, Sara and Maria. Due to restrictions there will be no funeral. Patrick's ashes to be interred in the family enclosure in Closeburn Churchyard.
From https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/kirkpatrick/4926033?fbclid=IwAR1oShMHLqSdZ03bmKkFcWftos2cWRHiuRJzQs2CPPYppCfP-RFeePvb4vs

Here are some pictures from our visit to Closeburn. Maria is the blonde lady holding the flag. You can see how thick the walls are by looking at how far they had to go to put in the window.  The spikey door in the background is NOT a replica.

Haunted bedroom (above). The dungeon (below). 

There used to be a trap door from the room in the picture of the flag to the dungeon, but there's a new way in now. Also, stairs had to be added because this remaining part is a keep, and could only be accessed by ladder before the stairs were put in.
We also got to go out on the top and see the view. 
So it looks like this is what I'm doing for the "Favorite Place" prompt.