On the 23rd of September, 1678, the Earl of Mar was commissioned to form Mar's Regiment of Foot.
The history of many of Scotland's regiment's goes back to the 17th or 18th Centuries. One of the earliest was the Earl of Mar's Regiment of Foot, which was raised in Scotland to suppress the Covenanters, during what has been called the Second Whig Revolt. That revolt lasted a year or so, between 1678 and 1679, but the persecution of the Covenanters went on for some time afterwards, reaching its peak in the 'Killing Times'.
The Earl of Mar at that time was Charles Erskine, the 5th Earl. Erskine was a Stuart loyalist, which meant he was a supporter of the Catholic king, James VII & II, who had a wheen troubles wi' the Covenanters before he was usurped by his ain daughter and her first cousin, Orange Wullie. Wullie became King William II & III and his Protestant wife, James Stuart's daughter, became Queen Mary II & II. You can argue what you like, but
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Thursday, 20 September 2012
The Turnberry Bond
The Turnberry Bond was signed at Turnebyry in Carryke, on the eve of St. Matthew; the 20th of September, 1286.
The historical event involving the Turnberry Bond is better known as the Turnberry Band. For some strange reason, the event that was the signing of the Turnberry Bond instead became known by a collective noun for its group of signatories. According to logic, the bond of agreement that was signed shouldn't and couldn't have been called the Turnberry Band. It was a bond and it was known, at least in Scotland, as a bond – the Turnberry Bond. The band of rogues that signed it could've been given various names and calling them the Turnberry Band is one of the more generous options.
The prime movers in the signing of the Bond were
The historical event involving the Turnberry Bond is better known as the Turnberry Band. For some strange reason, the event that was the signing of the Turnberry Bond instead became known by a collective noun for its group of signatories. According to logic, the bond of agreement that was signed shouldn't and couldn't have been called the Turnberry Band. It was a bond and it was known, at least in Scotland, as a bond – the Turnberry Bond. The band of rogues that signed it could've been given various names and calling them the Turnberry Band is one of the more generous options.
The prime movers in the signing of the Bond were
Monday, 17 September 2012
The 'Canter of Coltbrig'
The 'Canter of Coltbrig' occurred on the 17th of September, 1745.
There are several events in Scottish history that are subject to an enduring level of interest. Most recently, the life of William Wallace has come under renewed scrutiny and the story of Mary I, Queen of Scots, is one that will be no doubt forever told and retold. Another event that consistently captures the imagination is the 'Forty-five', the Jacobite Rebellion or the Jacobite Rising, according to preference. As stated in 'Historical Geography of the Clans of Scotland', by T. B. Johnston and Col. James A. Robertson, “It is full of incidents of personal daring and romantic adventure.” More to the point as Johnston and Robertson go on to illustrate, “it has all the pathetic interest which attaches to the last struggle of a lost cause.” But it didn't appear to be a lost cause at the outset.
Well, you might suppose if Cameron of Lochiel had stuck to his guns and refused to join the Bonny Prince, the story might have been stillborn at its very onset. Despite being a zealous Jacobite, Lochiel had no notion of there being any prospect of success. On his way to Borradale to advise Charlie to go back to France, Lochiel stopped in by his brother, John Cameron of Fassefern, advising the latter that the Prince had brought neither troops, nor money, nor arms. For those reasons if nothing else, Lochiel was determined not to be caught up in the affair, but when his brother said, “If this Prince once sets his eyes upon you he will make you do whatever he pleases,” he was right.
When Charlie said, “I will erect the royal standard and proclaim to the people of Britain that Charles Stuart has come to claim the crown of his ancestors, to win it, or to perish in the attempt,” Lochiel gave in, instead of biding at home to read about it “from the newspapers.” “I will share the fate of my Prince,” said Lochiel, “and so shall every man over whom nature or fortune hath given me any power.” The Cameron's example was followed by all the Jacobite clans and on the 19th of August, 1745, the Prince went from Kinlochmoidart to Glenfinnan, and there the standard of King James VIII was unfurled by the Marquis of Tullibardine.
In response, Sir John 'Johnnie' Cope, Commander of the Government troops in Scotland, ordered “as many men as could be spared from the garrisons” to concentrate on Stirling, with the intention of marching into the Highlands to oppose the Jacobites. By that time, the Prince’s force had grown to about 3000 Highlanders and it was clear his intent was to descend into the Lowlands, via the Corryarrack Pass. Cope, with limited numbers of men at his disposal knew opposition at that juncture would be fatal, but he had a dilemma. An attack up Corryarrack was out of the question as was staying put to be assailed by the Prince's greater numbers, but returning to Stirling on the other hand would aid the “insurrection” by encouraging sympathisers in the north. In those circumstances, Cope decided to march on to Inverness; to at least show willing. His token gesture made, Cope reached Inverness on the 29th of August, while the way to the Lowlands – and Edinburgh – was left clear for Charlie and Lochiel.
Charlie reached Perth and, on discovering that Cope intended to sail south from Aberdeen, determined to press on southwards to seize Edinburgh. On the 11th of September, the Jacobites vacated Perth and, via Dunblane and Doune, reached the Fords of Frew on the 13th, before arriving at Linlithgow on the 15th at six in the morning. The Jacobites were good at arriving earlie in the morning; just ask Johnnie Cope.
In Edinburgh, which was almost defenceless, confusion prevailed, but nevertheless, the Government did manage an attempt at raising a regiment of volunteers, after a fashion. Its purpose was to hold the city until Cope's arrival. Amongst the candidates were sixteen companies of civic troops, each of between 80 and 100 men. Those were known as the Trained Bands and, according to Sir Walter Scott, of dubious reliability. There were also the 126 members of the Town Guard or the old 'Town’s Rats' as they were called, but in terms of proper soldiery, there were few. The volunteers were formed into companies and did sensible things like add fortifications to the city walls, incidentally, under the direction of Colin Maclaurin, Professor of Mathematics at the University.
On the 15th of September, with rumours of marauding Highlanders having reached Kirkliston, Gardiner’s dragoons, who had retreated from Stirling ahead of the advancing Jacobites, and Hamilton’s dragoons, who had been encamped on Leith Links, were ordered by General Guest to march up to Corstorphine. The idea was for this force, supported by the city volunteers and ninety of the City Guard, to oppose the Prince in battle. However, as they marched down the Bow and through the Grassmarket, the volunteers had a change of heart and little more than forty-five of them (now there's a coincidence) made it to the West Port. By nightfall, they had all retreated back to their homes. The Hanoverian dragoons were left to themselves.
On the morning of the 17th, the Jacobites advanced to Corstorphine, where the dragoons had been drawn up by Colonel Gardiner, at Coltbridge, to halt their progress. When the Jacobites came within sight of the dragoons, some well mounted members of Charlie's force were ordered to ride out and reconnoitre the enemy. Those men rode up close to the dragoons, made faces at them and fired their pistols for good measure. Scared out of their wits and seized with a general panic, the dragoons turned and ran. Their pell-mell flight has since become known as the 'Canter of Coltbrig'.
The officers tried in vain to rally the men who galloped off through the fields by the Lang Dykes, now taken up by the New Town. The dragoons never stopped until they reached Leith, but only to let their horses take a breather, before continuing on by Musselburgh. They were prepared to bivouac for the night near Preston Grange, but someone cried out that the nasty Highlanders were coming, so they upped and ran again, stopping only when they reached Dunbar. As it happened, nobody had made any attempt to pursue them.
At midday on the 18th of September, 1745, King James VIII. was solemnly proclaimed at the Cross. Cope disembarked at Dunbar on the same day. Prestonpans came next, but that's another story.
There are several events in Scottish history that are subject to an enduring level of interest. Most recently, the life of William Wallace has come under renewed scrutiny and the story of Mary I, Queen of Scots, is one that will be no doubt forever told and retold. Another event that consistently captures the imagination is the 'Forty-five', the Jacobite Rebellion or the Jacobite Rising, according to preference. As stated in 'Historical Geography of the Clans of Scotland', by T. B. Johnston and Col. James A. Robertson, “It is full of incidents of personal daring and romantic adventure.” More to the point as Johnston and Robertson go on to illustrate, “it has all the pathetic interest which attaches to the last struggle of a lost cause.” But it didn't appear to be a lost cause at the outset.
Well, you might suppose if Cameron of Lochiel had stuck to his guns and refused to join the Bonny Prince, the story might have been stillborn at its very onset. Despite being a zealous Jacobite, Lochiel had no notion of there being any prospect of success. On his way to Borradale to advise Charlie to go back to France, Lochiel stopped in by his brother, John Cameron of Fassefern, advising the latter that the Prince had brought neither troops, nor money, nor arms. For those reasons if nothing else, Lochiel was determined not to be caught up in the affair, but when his brother said, “If this Prince once sets his eyes upon you he will make you do whatever he pleases,” he was right.
When Charlie said, “I will erect the royal standard and proclaim to the people of Britain that Charles Stuart has come to claim the crown of his ancestors, to win it, or to perish in the attempt,” Lochiel gave in, instead of biding at home to read about it “from the newspapers.” “I will share the fate of my Prince,” said Lochiel, “and so shall every man over whom nature or fortune hath given me any power.” The Cameron's example was followed by all the Jacobite clans and on the 19th of August, 1745, the Prince went from Kinlochmoidart to Glenfinnan, and there the standard of King James VIII was unfurled by the Marquis of Tullibardine.
In response, Sir John 'Johnnie' Cope, Commander of the Government troops in Scotland, ordered “as many men as could be spared from the garrisons” to concentrate on Stirling, with the intention of marching into the Highlands to oppose the Jacobites. By that time, the Prince’s force had grown to about 3000 Highlanders and it was clear his intent was to descend into the Lowlands, via the Corryarrack Pass. Cope, with limited numbers of men at his disposal knew opposition at that juncture would be fatal, but he had a dilemma. An attack up Corryarrack was out of the question as was staying put to be assailed by the Prince's greater numbers, but returning to Stirling on the other hand would aid the “insurrection” by encouraging sympathisers in the north. In those circumstances, Cope decided to march on to Inverness; to at least show willing. His token gesture made, Cope reached Inverness on the 29th of August, while the way to the Lowlands – and Edinburgh – was left clear for Charlie and Lochiel.
Charlie reached Perth and, on discovering that Cope intended to sail south from Aberdeen, determined to press on southwards to seize Edinburgh. On the 11th of September, the Jacobites vacated Perth and, via Dunblane and Doune, reached the Fords of Frew on the 13th, before arriving at Linlithgow on the 15th at six in the morning. The Jacobites were good at arriving earlie in the morning; just ask Johnnie Cope.
In Edinburgh, which was almost defenceless, confusion prevailed, but nevertheless, the Government did manage an attempt at raising a regiment of volunteers, after a fashion. Its purpose was to hold the city until Cope's arrival. Amongst the candidates were sixteen companies of civic troops, each of between 80 and 100 men. Those were known as the Trained Bands and, according to Sir Walter Scott, of dubious reliability. There were also the 126 members of the Town Guard or the old 'Town’s Rats' as they were called, but in terms of proper soldiery, there were few. The volunteers were formed into companies and did sensible things like add fortifications to the city walls, incidentally, under the direction of Colin Maclaurin, Professor of Mathematics at the University.
On the 15th of September, with rumours of marauding Highlanders having reached Kirkliston, Gardiner’s dragoons, who had retreated from Stirling ahead of the advancing Jacobites, and Hamilton’s dragoons, who had been encamped on Leith Links, were ordered by General Guest to march up to Corstorphine. The idea was for this force, supported by the city volunteers and ninety of the City Guard, to oppose the Prince in battle. However, as they marched down the Bow and through the Grassmarket, the volunteers had a change of heart and little more than forty-five of them (now there's a coincidence) made it to the West Port. By nightfall, they had all retreated back to their homes. The Hanoverian dragoons were left to themselves.
On the morning of the 17th, the Jacobites advanced to Corstorphine, where the dragoons had been drawn up by Colonel Gardiner, at Coltbridge, to halt their progress. When the Jacobites came within sight of the dragoons, some well mounted members of Charlie's force were ordered to ride out and reconnoitre the enemy. Those men rode up close to the dragoons, made faces at them and fired their pistols for good measure. Scared out of their wits and seized with a general panic, the dragoons turned and ran. Their pell-mell flight has since become known as the 'Canter of Coltbrig'.
The officers tried in vain to rally the men who galloped off through the fields by the Lang Dykes, now taken up by the New Town. The dragoons never stopped until they reached Leith, but only to let their horses take a breather, before continuing on by Musselburgh. They were prepared to bivouac for the night near Preston Grange, but someone cried out that the nasty Highlanders were coming, so they upped and ran again, stopping only when they reached Dunbar. As it happened, nobody had made any attempt to pursue them.
At midday on the 18th of September, 1745, King James VIII. was solemnly proclaimed at the Cross. Cope disembarked at Dunbar on the same day. Prestonpans came next, but that's another story.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Coronation of Mary I, Queen of Scots
Mary I, Queen of Scots, was anointed on the 9th of September, 1543.
Mary Stuart was the one and only very first Queen Regnant of Scots to actually rule Scotland in person. The one and only very first Queen of Scots was Margaret, the Maid of Norway, but the bairn never made it to her realm to rule in person, although she had a Regent rule on her behalf for a while. The next Queen Regnant of Scots was Queen Anne I, whose husband was King William I (of Scots), the Orangeman frae the Netherlands. It's often been written, particularly by Nigel Tranter in his wonderful books, that such and such a King was the umpteenth of his line. Tranter also wrote that when she was crowned and anointed Queen of Scots, albeit she succeeded to the throne nine months earlier, on the 14th of December, Mary Stuart was the one hundred and seventh of her line. And better than that, Tranter added that her line was the most ancient, unbroken line in all Christendom. You might find that amazing or hard to believe, or something in between. I guess it depends on what
Mary Stuart was the one and only very first Queen Regnant of Scots to actually rule Scotland in person. The one and only very first Queen of Scots was Margaret, the Maid of Norway, but the bairn never made it to her realm to rule in person, although she had a Regent rule on her behalf for a while. The next Queen Regnant of Scots was Queen Anne I, whose husband was King William I (of Scots), the Orangeman frae the Netherlands. It's often been written, particularly by Nigel Tranter in his wonderful books, that such and such a King was the umpteenth of his line. Tranter also wrote that when she was crowned and anointed Queen of Scots, albeit she succeeded to the throne nine months earlier, on the 14th of December, Mary Stuart was the one hundred and seventh of her line. And better than that, Tranter added that her line was the most ancient, unbroken line in all Christendom. You might find that amazing or hard to believe, or something in between. I guess it depends on what
Saturday, 25 August 2012
The Highland chiefs' Bond of Association
Highland clan chiefs sign a 'Bond of Association', on the 24th of August, 1689.
Many Scots and, indeed, very many of the Scottish Diaspora, have a romantic view of the Jacobite era, fuelled perhaps, by tales such as 'The Jacobite Trilogy' by D. K. Broster, comprising books you will have read; 'Flight of the Heron', 'Gleam in the North' and 'Dark Mile'. However, any critical investigation of the earlier rule and influence of James VII & II would unearth a regime of which not to be so proud. 'Bluidy Clavers' is a more fitting epitaph than 'Bonny Dundee' and 'Ringhan Gilhaize' a better book to read than any pretender's eulogy.
Regardless of your religious persuasion, surely
Many Scots and, indeed, very many of the Scottish Diaspora, have a romantic view of the Jacobite era, fuelled perhaps, by tales such as 'The Jacobite Trilogy' by D. K. Broster, comprising books you will have read; 'Flight of the Heron', 'Gleam in the North' and 'Dark Mile'. However, any critical investigation of the earlier rule and influence of James VII & II would unearth a regime of which not to be so proud. 'Bluidy Clavers' is a more fitting epitaph than 'Bonny Dundee' and 'Ringhan Gilhaize' a better book to read than any pretender's eulogy.
Regardless of your religious persuasion, surely
Saturday, 28 July 2012
The exile of Mary I, Queen of Scots
Mary Stewart departed for France on the 28th of July, 1548. (N.S. 7th of August, 1548).
Lang Mary Stewart left Scotland for exile in France as the six years old Mary I, Queen of Scots. During her thirteen years in France, Mary Stewart became Marie Stuart, was betrothed and later married to the Dauphin, became Queen Consort of France for a wee while as the wife of François II, upset Elizabeth I of England, and lost her husband. That latter became something of which she made a habit, but that's a story for another day. Mary sailed from Dumbarton on the 28th of July, 1548, accompanied by a fleet of French ships and arrived a week or so later at Saint-Pol-de-Léon. She was accompanied by her own court including the 'four Marys' (Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston) and a governess, Janet, Lady Fleming.
Mary Stewart was the only surviving legitimate bairn of King James V of Scotland. She was born
Lang Mary Stewart left Scotland for exile in France as the six years old Mary I, Queen of Scots. During her thirteen years in France, Mary Stewart became Marie Stuart, was betrothed and later married to the Dauphin, became Queen Consort of France for a wee while as the wife of François II, upset Elizabeth I of England, and lost her husband. That latter became something of which she made a habit, but that's a story for another day. Mary sailed from Dumbarton on the 28th of July, 1548, accompanied by a fleet of French ships and arrived a week or so later at Saint-Pol-de-Léon. She was accompanied by her own court including the 'four Marys' (Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston) and a governess, Janet, Lady Fleming.
Mary Stewart was the only surviving legitimate bairn of King James V of Scotland. She was born
Monday, 23 July 2012
Sir Arthur Whitten Brown
Sir Arthur Whitten Brown, Glasgow born aviator, was born on the 23rd of July, 1886.
As every schoolboy used to know, Arthur Whitten Brown is famous as one half of a duo, being one of the first pair of aviators to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, which feat he accomplished, together with John Alcock, in 1919. Brown and Alcock were knighted for their efforts and deserved all the acclaim they got for that most significant milestone. Incidentally, in addition to being the first ever, non-stop transatlantic flight, Aclock and Brown's journey was also the first transatlantic airmail flight. However, before he became a benighted Sir, he was a Second Lieutenant Sir in the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, before being seconded to 2 Squadron the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) as an observer, during the First World War.
Stationed in France, Brown was shot down
As every schoolboy used to know, Arthur Whitten Brown is famous as one half of a duo, being one of the first pair of aviators to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, which feat he accomplished, together with John Alcock, in 1919. Brown and Alcock were knighted for their efforts and deserved all the acclaim they got for that most significant milestone. Incidentally, in addition to being the first ever, non-stop transatlantic flight, Aclock and Brown's journey was also the first transatlantic airmail flight. However, before he became a benighted Sir, he was a Second Lieutenant Sir in the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, before being seconded to 2 Squadron the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) as an observer, during the First World War.
Stationed in France, Brown was shot down
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)