The original Dunure Castle was in existence earlier than the 13th century, but these remains date from a later period. It was the residence of the Kennedys of Carrick, to whom the lands were granted in 1357. The 4th Earl of Cassillis, Gilbert Kennedy, entertained Mary Queen of Scots here from 4th to 7th August 1563 when she visited the west of her country.
There is a story that, in 1570, in the dungeon of Dunure Castle, Gilbert Kennedy roasted alive the Commendator of Crossraguel Abbey, a crown appointee by name of Alan Stewart, in order to force him to transfer to Gilbert some of the lands belonging to the Abbey. The Commendator yielded after two turns of the spit!
However it is also said that the Commendator survived his injuries and lived to a relatively peaceful old age.
1 comment:
There's a character in Don Giovanni - actually a singing statue - called the Commendatore. Same idea, d'you think?
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