South-East Tower, Caerlaverock Castle In 1640 during the conflict between the Royalists and Covenanters, Caerlaverock, which was held by Robert Maxwell, 1st Earl of Nithsdale, a Royalist was besieged by Covenanter forces. The conflict which is known as the Bishops War was started when the Scottish Covenanters opposed Charles I's religious policies. This was a part of the wider War of the Three Kingdoms. After a 13-week siege, the castle was forced to surrender. Following the surrender, the Coven