The image top is of Kirkgate leading from
Linlithgow Centre to St Michael's Church, with
the Spire, and Linlithgow Palace.
The Blue Plaques on Kirkgate are for each
Royal that stayed at the Palace.
The second image is of Linlithgow Palace
south side with St Michael's Church on the
right, one of the largest and most impressive
Churches in Scotland.
The third image is of the south and west
sides.
The fourth image is of the main east side
entrance today. The original larger main
entrance is on the north side, that carriages
could enter.
The Fountain is in the centre of the Palace,
with the Viewing Tower in the southwest corner,
accessed via the Royal Apartments.
The Tower gives great views over Linlithgow
Loch and Town.
Linlithgow Palace History
1100s - there is a Royal Manor on this site
built for King David I.
1242 - the Church of St Michael is completed
for King David I.
1300s - the English forces of Edward I take
control of the area and build a Fort around the
Royal Manor. The Fort was used as a Military
Base between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling
Castle by the English during the First War of
Scottish Independence.
Scotland had no King at that time, with the
English trying to gain control.
Robert the Bruce and his followers forced
the English out of Scotland, with Bruce
becoming King of Scots, with his descendants
being the Stuart / Stewart Kings. Stewart is
the French way of spelling the name.
1424 - many buildings in Linlithgow were
destroyed by a vast Fire with St Michael's
Church partially ruined.
1424 - King James I Stuart begins the
building of Linlithgow Palace as the largest
Royal Palace in Scotland. Work to restore St
Michael's Church begins in the same year.
1453 - King James II took Blackness
Castle from the Crichton's. This castle is
situated 4 miles north of Linlithgow Palace,
with a harbour on the Firth of Forth.
1501 - James IV transformed Falkland Castle
into a Palace, 37 miles northeast of
Linlithgow, giving the Royals two Palaces that
were not inside Castles. Falkland
Palace was mainly used for hunting and
sport.
1530s - Linlithgow Palace is completed after
many Royals added to the original
structure.
|