Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/163

 THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND. SECOND PERIOD 1300-1400. WITH the close of the thirteenth century, the style of castles consisting of great walls of enceinte strengthened with massive towers comes to an end. The invasion of Edward i. in 1296, and the disturbances of the fourteenth century, destroyed the prosperity of the preceding period. There is thus a great gap between the style of the thirteenth-century buildings and those which succeeded them in the course of the four- teenth century, and we have to traverse a very long period ere we meet with castles of the size and elegance of those we have just been con- sidering. The thirteenth-century buildings of Scotland thus form a very distinctly marked period in the architectural history of the country, and constitute the first period of Scotch castellated architecture. During the fourteenth century the country was in a state of complete exhaustion, consequent on the great struggle for national independence, and was not in a condition to engage in extensive building operations. Besides, the policy of Bruce was opposed to the building of large castles, as these were found liable to be taken by the enemy, and to afford him a secure footing in the country. Bruce's policy was to destroy everything before an army of invasion, and leave it only a barren country to occupy a policy, the wisdom of which, in the relative position of Scotland and England, was often proved subsequently by the starving out of the invaders. The castle erected or extended by Bruce at Tarbert was exceptional, being for the specific purpose of keeping the Highlands and Islands in order, and to provide security for the garrison. The castle of Loch- maben, and some others, were also preserved, from their occupying special positions, which it was necessaiy for strategic purposes to fortify. For the above reasons we find only few and small remains of castles or domestic buildings erected in the fourteenth century, or at least till near the close of the century. The dwellings of the peasantry were mere huts, which were easily replaced after the storm of an invasion was past. The houses in the towns, also, at this period, and for long after,