Slavery The despatch of prisoners to be sold into slavery was not common until after James VI/I took the throne of England. Only then were there foreign lands, colonies, to which transgressors could be banished. In Europe slave labour rather than the standard serfdom, was much more common particularly in Germany and Russia where the unfortunates […]
Rev Donald Cargill . In every group or society there is always someone that everyone turns to for advice or guidance on a topic, and so it was with the Rev. Donald Cargill. By nature said to be timid and shrinking from confrontation, yet this belies the steel in his backbone that enabled him to be […]
Commission for Justiciary, and instructions,September 6th, 1684 “Charles, &c. to all and sundry our lieges and subjects whom it effeirs, greeting: forasmuch as, albeit the many endeavours used by us to reclaim the disaffected and disorderly people, in several of the western and southern shires of this our kingdom, have not been so effectual as […]
John Spreul – Torture and conviction by a special Act of Council. Spreul was again brought before the Privy Council on Wednesday 17 November and again he refused to subscribe to previous answers. He was sent back to his cell while the hangman was summoned and the instruments of torture made ready. Returning to the […]
Archibald Campbell, Eighth Earl, First and last Marquis of Argyll. ( 1607 – 1661 ) Much can be written of the Clan Campbell and its leaders throughout the history of Scotland. Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyll , was no different from his ancestors in always seeking to extend his lands and influence. Known as Gillespie […]
Jean Ramsay, Mrs James Guthrie. The trials and tribulations of Mrs James Guthrie demonstrate a special vindictiveness on the part of the Earl of Middleton, who bore a continuing grudge against her husband for his declaring Middleton excommunicated in 1650. On that occasion, when a messenger had arrived requesting him to delay the act, she […]
Medicine and the Industrial Revolution . A force for change in 18th and 19th century Scottish medicine. The establishment of good medical practice in Scotland is as much part of the Industrial Revolution as the ingenuity that went into developing mighty pieces of machinery. A more widespread medical treatment for the common man began its […]
Letter from the Congregation to the Queen Regent. To the Queen’s Grace, Regent, all humble obedience and duetie promised. “As heeretofore, with jeopard of our lives, and yitt with willing hearts, we have served the authoritie of Scotland, and your Grace, now regent in this realme, in service to our bodeis dangerous and painefull; so […]
Scotland in the 16th century. It is relevant to understanding what was happening in Scotland in the years leading up to the Reformation, to have an idea of the environment in which the common people lived, and eked out a precarious existence. Of particular importance was the change taking place in the towns or burghs […]
The Peace of Augsburg 1555 – Lutheranism established in Germany. Extracts from the Treaty. 15. In order to bring peace to the Holy Roman Empire of the Germanic Nation between the Roman Imperial Majesty and the Electors, Princes and Estates, let neither his Imperial Majesty nor the Electors, Princes, etc., do any violence or harm […]
A view of the state of Ireland and the Plantation of Ireland. [ W.E.H.Lecky, History of Ireland Vol 1. p 25-27 (1916).] The point to be understood is that land tenure was the deep seated and root cause of discontent; religion was a supplementary irritation which is emotive and sometimes taken out of context […]
Banishment. Banishment either within Scotland or outside was a very common punishment inflicted on ministers who were dissenters or had been `outed` . Since it could be imposed by the prelates, virtually every minister who was summoned before the Court of High Commission was subjected to varying lengths of imprisonment sometimes in several different tolbooths […]
INVERARAY Home of the Duke of Argyll – Mac Cailein Mor and Chief of Clan Campbell I live in the North West of England about 300 miles or so from the Western Highlands of Scotland and Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll, and Mac Cailein Mor, Chief of Clan Campbell. I have been […]
Three Roberts and Clarinda The ancient Canongate Kirk was built in 1688 with funds left by Thomas Moodie of Edinburgh who intended it to be an additional place of worship for the people of the Burgh of Canongate. Nearby is the older Canongate Tolbooth built in 1591 which served many needs as the Council House, […]