Old Town Wall, Tweeddale Court

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 5 Nov 2010

The old town wall is usually referred to as the Flodden Wall because it was hastily improved during a fear of invasion panic in the wake of the Scottish army's defeat at Flodden in 1513. However, this section is believed to be a surviving remnant of the earlier 'King's Wall', which James II ordered to be built in 1450. It ran along the southern slope of the Old Town between the High Street and the Cowgate. Here it turned towards the Netherbow. "Foralsmykle as we ar informit be oure well belovettis the Provest and Communite of Edynburgh, that thai dreid the evil and skath* of oure enemies of England, we have in favour of thame, and for the zele and affectioune that we have to the Provest and Communite of oure said Burgh, and for the comoune profit, grauntit to thaim full licence and leiff to fosse, bulwark, wall, toure, turate, and uther wais to strengthen oure foresaid Burgh in quhat maner of wise or degree that beis sene maste spedefule to thame. Given under oure Grete Seale at Strivelyn** the last day of Aprile, and of oure regne the thretene yhere, anno 1450." -- James II charter (for a modern translation, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_town_walls ) *injury; **Stirling Image

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