National War Museum.

National War Museum, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

THE GREAT HALL
   A marvel of medieval Scotland, the Great Hall was completed in 1511 for King James IV. Its timber roof is one of the most magnificent in Britain. Giant beams rest on stones carved from heads and symbols such as the thistle, the symbol of Scotland.

   State banquets and state occasions were held in the Great Hall. But James IV had little time to enjoy his new addition to the castle. The king was killed at the disastrous Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting the forces of Henry VIII of England, his son-in-law.

   Oliver Cromwell's army captured the castle in 1650 and began a military redevelopment of the space, converting the Great Hall into barracks. It later served as a military hospital until the troops finally withdrew in 1886.

   The Great Hall, restored to its medieval splendor, now displays weapons and armor that hint at its military past. Among the swords and shields are strangely shaped poles reminiscent of the feared Lochaber axe.

The Great Hall is located in the heart of the Castle on Crown Square.