Falkland Palace

Falkland Palace is a former royal hunting palace of the Scottish Kings and is still owned by the branch Crichton - Stuart of the House of Stuart. It is located in the historic town of Falkland in Fife County in eastern Scotland.

History

The original castle was built in the 12th century by the MacDuff clan and was acquired in the 14th century by the Stuarts. 1402 was Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany, his nephew David Stewart, 1st Duke of Rothesay, imprison here. The eldest son of King Robert III. then starved in the cell.

Between 1501 and 1541 the Kings James IV and James V could rebuild the castle in a royal palace. Although Falkland Palace always belonged to the crown, the buildings were hardly used by Charles II. The north wing was burned down in 1650 by Oliver Cromwell's troops.

It was not until 1887 Falkland Palace (which was not completely destroyed it ) by John Crichton - Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, restored. Today, the palace Queen Elizabeth II, who has entrusted him in 1952 the National Trust for Scotland heard.

Plant

The Falkland Palace is a defense with facilities provided, nevertheless domestic building in the Renaissance style. While the southern servants' quarters and the gatehouse still stand, the former East Wing has completely collapsed.

The royal chapel from the 16th century has remained completely intact. In Croce House now houses a museum and a replica of the royal bedroom, in the King James V died in 1542. The gardens are dominated by the most ancient surviving tennis court in the world from the year 1539.