Architectural Development

The 15th and 16th centuries saw significant architectural additions to the castle. The Great Hall, built by King James IV in 1511, remains one of the finest medieval halls in Scotland, designed to host grand feasts and formal events.

The castle’s defensive structures were also modernized during this period, incorporating artillery fortifications to withstand the emerging threat of cannon warfare.

The Scottish Reformation and Religious Conflict

Edinburgh Castle’s role in the religious upheavals of the 16th century is noteworthy. During the Scottish Reformation — the movement that led to Scotland breaking from the Roman Catholic Church and establishing a Protestant Kirk — the castle was a strategic military prize.

The castle was often garrisoned by forces loyal to the crown and became a refuge during periods of unrest. It was involved in several military confrontations linked to religious and political conflicts, including the Marian civil war following the abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Mary herself spent part of her youth in Edinburgh Castle, which influenced her connection to the fortress. shutdown123