In Fiona Watson’s essay, The Expression of Power in a Medieveal Kingdom: Thirteenth Century Scottish Castles, she discusses the importance of castles in thirteenth century Scotland. Overall Watson did an excellent job with this essay. There were many aspects of this argument to consider and she provided a sufficient amount of evidence for each piece. Watson does not disagree with any other author in particular and many even corroborate or elaborate on points of her argument. Watson argues that castles were crucial to the ruling of Scotland in the thirteenth century. One of the things discussed by Watson is how royal and noble authority were established and made secure by means of castles. Royal castles were mainly built as “regional centres, the keys to the administration of their areas, and they were placed at the vital points where also the centres of populations developed.” (Simpson and Webster, 8) This means that castles were built around a preexisting group of people …show more content…
Often this was taken care of the sheriffs in charge who were responsible for arresting criminals and holding them in the castle. Not only did the castles hold the criminals but they also held anyone else who might be involved in the trial as well as the trial itself. The process of justice was a very public spectacle to further demonstrate royal and noble authority to the people. Watson elaborates on this by mentioning that castles were a place for kings to actively take part in their kingdom’s justice which would allow additional benefits for the crown and castle. The king was able to directly have contact with his people. This allowed for better relationships between the king and his people. It is also important to note that the king’s presence at a castle would boost the economy of that area for a short time as there would be more jobs in the area usually serving the king in some manner or