Earl's Palace, Kirkwall

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Earl's Palace, Kirkwall, Scotland

The ruins of the Earl's Palace, Kirkwall lie near St Magnus Cathedral in the centre of Kirkwall, Orkney. Built by Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney. It was begun in 1607 and built by slave labour. Lord Orkney and his father, Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney, are acknowledged to be among the most tyrannical Earls in Scotland.

The Earl's Palace was built after Lord Orkney decided that the potential of the Bishop's Palace had been exhausted. He chose to build the Earl's Palace on the adjoining lands. This was somewhat complicated by the fact that he did not actually own the adjoining lands. He quickly acquired them by creating false charges of theft of the current owner, trying him and having him executed. However, Orkney did not hold on to the property for long. Whilst in prison, Orkney's son, Robert Stewart, Lord Stewart, rose in rebellion and seized the palace, nearby Saint Magnus Catherdral and Kirkwall Castle. An army laid siege and the castle was destroyed. Lord Orkney and his son were then later executed.

After Lord Orkney's death the palaces continued to be the residence of the Bishops of Orkney sporadically until 1688, when they became the property of the Crown, and fell into ruin in the 18th century. The ruins still hint at the elegant French Renaissance building style.