James III crux pellit penny

This crux pellit penny was made during the reign of James III (1460–88). It may be an example of coinage of either the Church or Crown.

The cross-bearing orb on the penny is both a Christian symbol of religious authority and a symbol of royal power. The orb tilts down and the cross is on top. The legend means ‘James by the grace of God King’. In Latin, it reads: ‘IACOBVS: DEI: GRA: REX’.

A Latin cross on the reverse sits within a quatrefoil (four-leafed symbol). The writing here translates as ‘the cross drives away all sin’. The text, which reads ‘CRVX: PELLIT: OIE: CRIM’, quotes a hymn.

These coins, known as ‘black money’, were issued by Cochrane, Earl of Mar. James III showed favouritism to the earl – which was just one of the things that made the king unpopular with Scottish nobles. Eventually, this dislike led to James III being jailed at Edinburgh Castle. He died following defeat at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. Although tradition has it that he was murdered the exact circumstances around his death are unknown.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle has witnessed many of the defining events in Scotland’s history. Sieges were fought over the mighty stronghold. Royalty lived and died within its walls. Just the sight of the Castle Rock has terrified and inspired countless generations.

Fierce Iron Age warriors defended a hill fort here, and the nation’s oldest poetry tells of a war band feasting here for a year before riding to their deaths in battle.

The castle’s royal connections go back 1,000 years, and the city’s oldest building stands on the site. David I built St Margaret’s Chapel around 1130, as a tribute to his devout mother.

Edinburgh has been besieged more than any other castle in Europe, and the Scots and English struggled over its control during the Wars of Independence. In 1314, Thomas Randolph, a relative of Robert the Bruce, led a daring night raid to reclaim it from the English.

Over the last 200 years, Edinburgh Castle has become a national icon. Today it is Scotland’s leading tourist attraction and a chief element of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Home of royalty

Scottish monarchs commissioned grand buildings here – both as secure lodgings and to show off their wealth, power and good taste. The castle’s royal role continues today.

Monarchs who sheltered here include:

Queen Margaret (later St Margaret), who died here in 1093
Mary Queen of Scots, who gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566

Edinburgh was among Scotland’s chief royal residences during the 1400s and 1500s.

Bonnie Prince Charlie – Mary’s great-great-great grandson – captured Edinburgh but failed to take the castle during the 1745–46 Jacobite Rising.

Army headquarters

Edinburgh Castle became more important as a military base from the late 1500s onwards.

After the ‘Lang Siege’ of 1571–3, the castle’s military strength was repaired, maintained and improved. Additions included:

the distinctive Half Moon Battery
a huge garrison
a secure jail for prisoners of war

The military presence remains unbroken – Edinburgh Castle is still an active base today. It also houses three military museums, the Scottish National War Memorial and the Prisons of War exhibition.

Find out more about Edinburgh Castle