48 THE CASTLE OF DUMFRIES. 
15th December, 19058. 
Chairman—The PRESIDENT. 
New Mempers.—Rev. J. M. Campbell, St. Michael’s 
Manse; Rev. Wm. Edie, Greyfriars’ Manse; Rev. G. T. 
Ferguson, St. Mary’s Place; Mr J. M. Bowie, architect; Mr 
John Cowan, Glenview, Maxwelltown; Mr John Charlton, 
Huntingdon Lodge, Dumfries. 
THE CasTLE OF DumrrRiEs. By JAMES BarBour, F.S.A.Scot. 
PRELIMINARY. 
The pages of general history reveal little of the character 
and circumstances of the Castle of Dumfries; nevertheless, 
together with the Castle of Lochmaben, it takes its place as a 
fortress of outstanding importance in relation to the control of 
the south-west parts of Scotland during the Edwardian wars. 
Our castle was held for lengthened periods by the English, and 
it is associated with the advent of Bruce, being the first stronghold 
captured by him from the English, and in which he and his 
followers found refuge after the slaughter of Comyn in the 
neighbouring church of the Greyfriars’ monastery. The writer 
has gathered information relative to the subject, from such sources 
as he could command, and has ventured to put together the 
following pages, allowing the original papers to speak largely 
for themselves, in the hope of reviving interest in a_ local 
monument environed with the flavour of former times. 
The authorities chiefly relied on are prints of original 
documents preserved in the London archives—“ The Wardrobe 
Account of the 28th Year of Edward I.,’’ printed by the Society 
of Antiquaries of London, in 1787; “ Documents Illustrative of 
the History of Scotland,’’ by the Rev. Joseph Stevenson ; 
“Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland,’’ by Dr Joseph 
Bain; etc. Dr E. J. Chinnock supplied extracts from several 
original sources, and by his favour translations where required 
have been made. 
EarLy NOTICES OF THE CASTLE AND ITS SITE. 
Dumfriesshire is studded with the remains of ancient 
castles. Bruce possessed Lochmaben, Comyn owned Dalswinton, 
Caerlaverock belonged to the Maxwells, and Baliol had Buittle, in 
