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The
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Orcish Landscape (new) |
Towers and Beacons
Weathertop with its ruined watchtower, where Gandalf left a coded message for Aragorn and where Frodo was stabbed, is described as situated on the border of Middle-earth’s northern kingdom.
In times of particular danger the watch towers (known as pele towers) and beacons were manned, with fines being imposed if they were not lit. They continued to be used as military assembly points long after they were destroyed.
There is an interesting quotation from ‘The Scottish Chateau’ by Charles McKean. In 1535 in Scotland, the ‘barmkin’ which was used for cattle, reappeared as part of the Scottish defence of the Borders.
“It is statute and ordained for saving of men their goods and gear upon the borders in time of war, and all other troublous time, that every landed man dwelling in ye inland or upon ye borders, having there a hundred pound land of new extent, shall build a sufficient barmkin upon his heritage and lands, in place most convenient, of stone and lime, containg three score feet of the square, an ell thick, and six ells high, for the receipt and defense of him, his tenants and their goods in troubles time, with a tower in the ssame for himself, if he thinks it expedient. And that all other landed men of smaller rent and refenue build peels and great strengths as they please, for saving of their selves, men, tenant and goods. And that all the said strengths, barmkins, and peels, be built and completed within two years, under pain etc.
The Lord Wardens of the Marches of England and Scotland, Howard Pease.
The Scottish Chateau. Charles McKean. Sutton 2001.
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