Edinburgh Photo Library
- St Margaret's Chapel

St Margaret's Chapel

The first record of the castle being used as a royal residence occurs in the 11th century when Margaret, wife of Malcolm III died there after hearing of her husband's death at the Battle of Alnwick in 1093.

"Saint Margaret" (she was later canonised) was Saxon-English, a refugee from the conquest of England by the Normans under William the Conqueror. She brought piety and manners to the Scottish court and was reknowned for her generosity to the poor. The small chapel which bears her name was probably not built until the 12th century (by King David I, Margaret's son). It is the oldest surviving structure in the castle.

It stopped being used as a chapel in the 16th century and was used as a gunpowder magazine instead. In 1845 it was restored to its present condition.

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