Peel Castle - The Wall
James II of Scotland invested his son with the Lordship of Man in 1455, opening old wounds. He assembled ships and an army at Kirkcudbright the following year, and attacked the Isle of Man. The Stanley, Lord of the Islands, retaliated in 1457 with a raid on Kirkcudbright. The erection of the new slate curtain wall probably came about as a result of these incidents.
According to Bishop Wilson; Thomas, Earl of Derby, encompassed St. Patrick’s Isle "with a wall, towers and fortifications". There were two Earls of that name - Thomas I (1460 - 1504), who led the expedition against Kirkcudbright, and Thomas II (1504 - 1521). In the time of Thomas II guns were coming into common use, but this curtain wall was not designed for use with artillery.
The wall encircles the isle, except where there was already protection by the Cathedral wall and the red sandstone walls each side of the Gatehouse. The red wall was also heightened near the causeway in the same style and material as the massive slate curtain wall.
The new curtain wall appears to have been built into the front of the earth bank which lies inside it for much of its length, so replacing the log palisade of the 14th. century.
The wall also incorporates features such as the Postern Gate, flanking towers, garrison quarters, a kitchen and a toilet.
Author of this Article: Isleofman Dot Com Ltd