364. Vestiges of the Castle of Dumfries. 



night, and 60 to 100 carpenters, with two dozen smiths, were con- 

 tinuously at work for a period of between two and three months, 

 cutting timber in Inglewood forest, Cumberland, and in woods 

 near Dumfries, transporting the material and constructing with 

 them round the Castle a stout palisade. Whether the palisade 

 was the only carpenter work overtaken seems doubtful consider- 

 ing the number of workmen employed and the time occupied. It 

 is a notable circumstance that masons are not represented among 

 the craftsmen. Might not the scheme of strengthening the place 

 embrace the building of a wooden tower ? 



It was to this place that Bruce fled on the slaughter of 

 Comyn in the chapel of the Greyfriars' Monastery, situated at 

 the other end of the town. In the words of Hemingburgh, " The 

 Lord Robert de Brus went out; and seeing the Lord John's fine 

 steed, he mounted it; and his men mounted with him. They set 

 out for the Castle and seized it." 



