Monastic Buildings Extracts from The Monasticon, Rev J S F Gordon (1868) Following the destruction of the Monasteries under Henry VIII and the ransacking of establishments by the people in the Scottish Reformation, there remains only the skeletons of what must have been marvellous buildings in their own right. In Scotland we have but […]
TABLE OF THE CHIEF BATTLES FOUGHT BY THE ENGLISH, : and THE KINGS AND QUEENS AND THEIR SPOUSES. 1066 Hastings 1513 Flodden 1797 Camperdown 1106 Tenchebrai 1588 Armada defeated 1800 Marengo 1191 Capture of Acre 1596 Cadiz 1805 Trafalgar 1214 Bouvines 1642 Edge Hill 1809 Corunna 1265 Evesham 1643 Chalgrove Field 1812 […]
`Alexander Ales, also known as Alesius. In the early sixteenth century there were more and more priests and friars disenchanted with the Roman Church and its excesses; many took up the evangelical cause even though it could mean a charge of heresy and a fiery death at the stake. These often unsung Christians were important […]
Carberry Hill 15 June 1567 and its consequences. Following the murder of Lord Darnley in the explosion on 9 February there was a strong groundswell of opinion against both Queen Mary and her paramour the Earl of Bothwell. A trial of Bothwell had come to nothing when his prosecutor the Earl of Lennox failed to […]
John Erskine of Dun. John Erskine of Dun probably ranks only after John Knox in importance of those who made the Scottish Reformation happen. Certainly he and the Earl of Moray (the Good Regent) were most active in openly professing the Protestant evangel at a critical time, and was instrumental in getting John Knox to […]
John Wyckcliffe (1329-1384), published two especially influential works based on his views of the Augustinian doctrine of predestination. In these works – “On the Kingdom of God” and “De Dominia Divino“, he elaborated his theory that – All power was derived from God alone. The King was as much God`s Vicar as the Pope. The […]
Knox in the crucial years 1556 – 1560. Knox had visited Scotland in September 1555. During his stay he preached wherever he could and made contact with the Lords of the Congregation, but was soon in receipt of letters from his congregation in Geneva who desired his speedy return. Stricken by conscience and mindful of […]
Saint Andrew: Scotland’s Myth and Identity A Book Review Most people, whether or not Scottish, would be able to identify St. Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland, and it is likely that some will know of the history of the Scottish flag, the Saltire, or St Andrew’s Cross. I suspect fewer would realise that […]
James Stuart, `Lord James`. The Reformation had many prominent persons that helped shape the establishment of the Protestant – Presbyterian, Church in Scotland. James Stuart, Earl of Moray was possibly the most eminent layman who, like Erskine of Dun, was a mediator and conciliator at times of crisis. James Stuart was born about 1531, a […]
John Knox, his formative years. Knox was born in 1505 probably in the village of Gifford, near Haddington, Midlothian. His father was descended from an ancient family who owned the lands of Knock, Ranferly and Craigends in Renfrewshire. His mother was a Sinclair. He was educated at Glasgow University where he had John Mair or […]
Adam Wallace, Martyr 12 October 1550 The capture of St Andrew`s Castle and the sending of John Knox to the French galleys dealt a deadly blow to the Reformation and gave the priests and prelates confidence that they could now stifle all opposition to them. By fair means and foul they sought revenge on […]
Letter of Queen Elizabeth to James VI February 1589, about the treasonous letters discovered. Quoted in Calderwood`s History. vol v, p7-8 “ MY DEERE BROTHER,- I have ere now assured you, that als long as I found you constant in aimitie towards me, I would be your faithfull watche, to shunne all mishappes or […]