Floor tile
At the centre of this floor tile from Linlithgow Palace are the letters “IM”, joined by a love knot. It’s thought that the initials belong to James IV and Margaret Tudor. The same monogram appears in The Book of Hours of James IV.
A number of tile fragments from the royal palace survive. But this green glazed tile with its central stamp is the one complete example. A group of similar tiles was found at Cadzow Castle. The Linlithgow tiles were originally thought to date from 1503, the date of the royal marriage, and from 1513, the death of James IV. It now seems more likely they date from around 1540, based on architectural evidence and links to Cadzow Castle.
As well as tell us about palace life, this object points to the return of a tile industry in 16th-century Scotland.
Linlithgow Palace
Once a majestic royal residence of the Stewarts, Linlithgow Palace today lies roofless and ruined. Yet entering the palace gates still inspires awe in visitors.
James I ordered work on a palace to begin in 1424, following a fire that severely damaged the earlier residence. The elegant, new ‘pleasure palace’ became a welcome rest stop for royals on the busy road between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.
The Stewart queens especially liked the peace and fresh air, and Linlithgow Palace served as the royal nursery for:
- James V – born 1512
- Mary Queen of Scots – born 1542
- Princess Elizabeth – born 1596
But the palace fell quickly into decline when James VI moved the royal court to London in 1603, following his coronation as James I of England.
The palace’s north quarter, which probably housed the queen’s apartment where Mary was born, fell to the ground in 1607. It was rebuilt around 1620, on the orders of James VI. The end came in 1746, when a great fire swept through the palace.
An ancient site
Linlithgow Palace stands on a low hill above a small inland loch. The name Linlithgow means ‘the loch in the damp hollow’.
The site was first occupied as far back as Roman times 2,000 years ago. There has been a royal residence here since at least the reign of David I (1124–53). He also founded the town that grew up around the royal residence.
Peace in Linlithgow was shattered in 1296, when Edward I of England invaded Scotland. The ‘Hammer of the Scots’ had a formidable defence built around the royal residence in 1302. He called it his ‘pele’ (from the Old French ‘pel’, meaning ‘stake’).
No visible features of the original Linlithgow Peel survive. The name is now used for the attractive parkland that surrounds the remains of the later Stewart palace.
A longstanding Stewart project
James I had begun work on the new palace shortly after his return from captivity in England. Over the course of the next century and more, his heirs completed the great task.
Palace highlights include the:
- Great Hall built for James I
- royal apartments added by James IV (1488–1513)
- three-tiered courtyard fountain added by James V in 1538
- north quarter rebuilt for James VI (1567–1625)
The end result was a hugely impressive quadrangular palace, its four ranges grouped around a central courtyard.
Details
- Date Made
- Circa 1540
- Dimensions
- 208 x 205 x 35mm
- Material
- Ceramic/BM Processed
- Time Period
- 16th century, Post-medieval
- Property Information
- Linlithgow Palace
- Object Number
- LLP158
- Access Status
- Display