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Prince, King and Lord, the Lord Robert. He, that his people and his
heritage might be delivered out of the hands of our enemies, met toil
and fatigue, hunger and peril, like another Macabaeus or Joshua and
bore them cheerfully. Him, too, divine providence, his right of
succession according to or laws and customs which we shall maintain to
the death, and the due consent and assent of us all have made our
Prince and King. To him, as to the man by whom salvation has been
wrought unto our people, we are bound both by law and by his merits
that our freedom may be still maintained, and by him, come what may, we
mean to stand. Yet if he should give up what he has begun, and agree to
make us or our kingdom subject to the King of England or the English,
we should exert ourselves at once to drive him out as our enemy and a
subverter of his own rights and ours, and make some other man who was
well able to defend us our King; for, as long as but a hundred of us
remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English
rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are
fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives
up but with life itself.
Therefore it is, Reverend Father and Lord, that we beseech your
Holiness with our most earnest prayers and suppliant hearts, inasmuch
as you will in your sincerity and goodness consider all this, that,
since with Him Whose Vice-Regent on earth you are there is neither
weighing nor distinction of Jew and Greek, Scotsman or Englishman, you
will look with the eyes of a father on the troubles and privation
brought by the English upon us and upon the Church of God. May it
please you to admonish and exhort the King of the English, who ought to
be satisfied with what belongs to him since England used once to be
enough for seven kings or more, to leave us Scots in peace, who live in
this poor little Scotland, beyond which there is no dwelling-place at
all, and covet nothing but our own. We are sincerely willing to do
anything for him, having regard to our condition, that we can, to win
peace for ourselves. This truly concerns you, Holy Father, since you
see the savagery of the heathen raging against the Christians, as the
sins of Christians have indeed deserved, and the frontiers of
Christendom being pressed inward every day; and how much it will
tarnish your Holiness's memory if (which God forbid) the Church suffers
eclipse or scandal in any branch of it during your time, you must
perceive. Then rouse the Christian princes who for false reasons
pretend that they cannot go to help of the Holy Land because of wars
they have on hand with their neighbours. The real reason that prevents
them is that in making war on their smaller neighbours they find
quicker profit and weaker resistance. But how cheerfully our Lord the
King and we too would go there if the King of the English would leave
us in peace, He from Whom nothing is hidden well knows; and we profess
and declare it to you as the Vicar of Christ and to all Christendom.
But if your Holiness puts too much faith in the tales the English tell
and will not give sincere belief to all this, nor refrain from
favouring them to our prejudice, then the slaughter of bodies, the
perdition of souls, and all the other misfortunes that will follow,
inflicted by them on us and by us on them, will, we believe, be surely
laid by the Most High to your charge.
To conclude, we are and shall ever be, as far as duty calls us, ready
to do your will in all things, as obedient sons to you as His Vicar;
and to Him as the Supreme King and Judge we commit the maintenance of
our cause, casting our cares upon Him and firmly trusting that He will
inspire us with courage and bring our enemies to nought. May the Most
High preserve you to his Holy Church in holiness and health and grant
you length of days.
Given at the monastery of Arbroath in Scotland on the sixth day of the
month of April in the year of grace thirteen hundred and twenty and the
fifteenth year of the reign of our King aforesaid.
Endorsed: Letter directed to our Lord the Supreme Pontiff by the
community of Scotland.
[11.4] History and Archaeology information
Websites
========
An excellent site for Scottish Historical information is:
http://www.rampantscotland.com/History.htm
Scottish history tours
http://www.scottishhistory.com/
http://www.rootsweb.com/~genclass/205/gen205_2.htm
Stonepages
http://www.stonepages.com/utenti/dmeozzi/Scotland/Scotland.html
Scottish stone monuments (cairns, brochs, standing stones, circles etc)
http://www.stonepages.com/ancient_scotland/
Archaeolink
-----------
Insch, Aberdeenshire
Information on 7,000 recorded prehistoric sites, including stone circles,
Iron Age hill forts and Pictish symbol stones,
http://www.archaeolink.co.uk/
Scottish Archaeology News
-------------------------
and the online verion of The Digger (UK excavators newsletter) plus links to
all archaeological units in Scotland.
http://www.archaeo.freeserve.co.uk/
Scottish History online
-----------------------
http://www.north-scotland.co.uk/
Kilmartin House Trust
---------------------
This group has opened its multi award winning archaeological
centre and museum in the village of Kilmartin on the West Coast of
Scotland. This site gives a taste of the museum and also allows visitors
to preview the collection of ancient sites that surround the village.
http://www.kht.org.uk/
There is an on-line historical Scottish newspaper, "The Latest", at
Gordon Johnson's homepage http://www.ifb.co.uk/~kinman/
(also has Scottish genealogical information)
British Archaeological Directory for Scotland is at:
http://www.cix.co.uk/~archaeology/directory/scot.htm
Antique style maps of the battlefields, clans and families of Scotland
are available mail-order from:
http://www.borderart.com/
Border reivers
http://www.reivers.com/
CD-ROMS / Software
==================
Dunedin Multimedia
http://www.webpost.net/dunedin/
Educational software publishers
Mailing lists
=============
There is a mailing list for Scottish/Celtic/Medieval history:
mailto:Skyelander@aol.com for more information. I was sent a sample
issue and it looked excellent. See also
http://members.aol.com/skyelander/ Join via
http://www3.dundee.net/scripts/lyris.pl?join=scot-celt-medieval
Books
=====
A recommended book on Scottish history is
Scotland: A new history by Michael Lynch.
ISBN 0-7126-9893-0
500+ pages, shortlisted for Saltire book of the year award.
Covers 20 centuries, from the Picts to the present day
Book information
----------------
Get more information on the books listed here
via our books page in association with Amazon.
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/books/amazon.html#[11.4]
[11.5] The Picts
Article by Lorraine MacDonald mailto:lorraine.macdonald@dalriada.co.uk
The Picts
Background - Early Scotland
---------------------------
The question of the Picts should be approached as an integral part of
the heritage of Scotland (and Celtic Britain and Europe as a whole) rather
than as some isolated oddity. Early Scotland was populated by various
individual tribes who were ruled by people of Celtic origin. The oldest
recorded language found in Scotland is of Celtic root but what should be
remembered is that there are a number of different Celtic languages.
(Watson: Celtic Place Names of Scotland).
Also present at this time were the people whom the Romans called
the Hiberni. These Hiberni were the Irish of the time. In Southern
Scotland there were also the various tribes of the Britons. Both
the Hiberni and the Britons were of Celtic origin.
To the Romans, the tribes were recognised by the Latin equivalent
of their tribal names. However, it was only the tribes which came
into contact with the Romans, usually in the form of battles, that
were naturally considered by them to be the most powerful and
prominent. From this came the Roman habit of calling the land
after whoever they saw as being the most powerful tribe.
Origin Myth of the Picts
------------------------
An early Irish origin myth gives 'Cruithne' as the eponymous ancestor of
the Picts. In this myth it is said that the seven sons of Cruithne gave
their names to the seven divisions of the Pictish kingdom. The names of
the seven sons were Fib, Fidach, Foltlaig, Fortrenn, Caitt, Ce and
Circinn. Fib is equated with Fife, the site of Fidach is uncertain, the
others being Athfotla, Fortriu, Caithness, Aberdeenshire and Angus
respectively. Regardless of the accuracy of the myth, these seven divisions
did exist historically within Pictish territories.
It is interesting to note that Athfotla, ie Atholl, is equated with one
of the sons, Foltlaig. Athfotla means 'new Ireland' and an area
once identified as being occupied by the Picts, Argyll, is omitted
entirely from the divisions of the Pictish Kingdom. So it seems that
this creation myth came at a time when the Dalriada kingdom was
already in place in the Argyll area.
There is also a possibility that the Picts were of Gaulish descent. The
Pictones, sometimes given as Pectones, were a Gaulish tribe to be
found on the Bay of Biscay south of the Loire
Historical Records
------------------
The first ever written record of the people known as the Picts came
from Roman sources. In 297 A.D. the orator Eumenius referred to the
Britons as 'already being accustomed to the Picti and Hiberni as
enemies', implying that they had been making their presence felt for
some time.
The people we call the Picts never used such a term for themselves.
Scotland at that time was made up of tribal peoples who identified
themselves simply by the name of their tribe. The idea of kings and
kingdoms was only beginning to come into being.
Concerning the tribal identity of the peoples who came to be called
the Picts, one reference came from a Roman in 310 A.D. who mentions
"the Caledones and other Picts". There is some controversy over this
translation,others giving it as "the Caledones, Picts and others".
Depending on which translation you accept, this could either imply
that the Caledonians were Pictish, or that the Caledones and Picts
were only two of several tribes in the area.
Other tribal names of early Scotland, of Celtic root, include:
Caereni, (people of the sheep) Lugi, (of the raven) Smertae (the
'smeared ones') and Decantae (nobles). Besides the Caledonii (the
'hard ones'?) were the Vacomagi and Venicones. Other tribes included
the Epidii on the west coast and the Damnonii, Novantae and Selgovae
further south. In later times a number of these tribes merged to
form what became the 'Pictish kingdom'.
It was not long after this point that the influence of the Picts began
to be felt in the north of the country. It is also from this point that
confusion can set in. While the Caledonians were the power in the
north, the Romans called the country Caledonia. So when the Picts came
into power they likewise called the country Pictavia. The people were
also then called Picts. At the same time the Irish were still calling
them Cruithne. In Watson's own words: "it is important to keep in
view that while all Picts were Cruithne, all Cruithne were not Picts".
The Picts were therefore one tribe amongst many others who happened
to gain control over a particular area. They did not gain control
over the areas in Ireland that the Irish Cruithne or non-Gaelic
tribes lived on. Therefore, the Irish Cruithne were not Picts and
should never be called such.
Further information
-------------------
See the series of articles on the Picts and Scotland's Early History
published by Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust at:
http://www.dalriada.co.uk/
http://www.cushnieent.force9.co.uk/
Picts in the Dee and Don valley
Further reading
---------------
"In search of the Picts", by Elizabeth Sutherland, Ed.Constable, London.
"Picts", HMSO press, ISBN 0 11 493491 6
The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland
by J Romilly Allen and Joseph Anderson
The Pinkfoot Press, Balgavies, by Forfar Angus DD8 2TH
ISBN 1 874012 03 2 and ISBN 1 874012 04 0
republished 1993
This is a web offset reprint of the 1903 ***Tome***
2 volumes 1000 pages 8-O 8-O
Contains everything which was then known about its subject and is
still very up to date. Strongly recommended.
Book information
----------------
Get more information on the books listed here
via our books page in association with Amazon.
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/books/amazon.html#[11.5]
[11.6] Antiquarian books
Domhnall MacCormaig
Antiquarian Bookseller
Specialising in Scottish Gaelic books, Highlands and Islands topography,
Scottish history and Celtic studies
Visitors by appointment
19 Braid Crescent, Edinburgh, EH10 6AX
Tel: 0131 447 2889 Fax: 0131 447 9496
Member of the Scottish branch of the antiquarian booksellers'
association
See also
http://www.jthin.co.uk/ (Antiquarian catalogue link off here)
[11.7] Historical re-enactments
Scottish Reproduction Weaponry:
Castle Keep
Unit 7B1, Portree Industrial Estate
Portree, Isle of Skye
Tel. 01478 612114
Rob makes hand forged swords, knives, dirks and sgian dubhs,
also wrought iron and leather goods, for historical re-enactments.
[11.8] Museum of Scotland project
See
http://www.museum.scotland.net/
The museum should be finished in November 98.
see also http://www.nms.ac.uk/
(National Museums of Scotland)
[11.9] The story of Glasgow's emblem (fish and ring)
Here's the relevant excerpt from Iain MacDonald's "Saint Mungo" (Floris
Books, Edinburgh, 1993):
************************************************************************
HOW THE SAINT MIRACULOUSLY RESTORED
TO THE QUEEN THE RING
WHICH SHE HAD IMPROPERLY GIVEN AWAY
Queen Languoreth, living in plenty and delights, was not faithful to
the royal chamber or the marital bed, as she ought to have been: for
the wealth of her treasures, the exuberance of her means of sensuality,
and the elevation of power, gave incentives and fuel to the will of the
flesh. She cast her eyes on a certain youth, a soldier, who seemed to
her to be beautiful and fair of aspect beyond many at court. And he,
who without external temptation, was himself ready enough for such a
service as this, was easily induced to sin with her.
As time passed, the forbidden pleasures, frequently repeated, became
more and more delightful to both of them; so from a rash act they
proceeded to a blind love, and a royal ring of gold, set with a
precious gem, which her lawful husband had entrusted to her as a
special mark of his conjugal love, she very imprudently bestowed upon
her lover. He, more impudently and more imprudently placing it upon
his finger, opened the door of suspicion to all who were conversant in
the matter.
A faithful servant of the king, finding this out, took care to instil
the secret of the queen and the soldier into the ears of the husband,
who did not willingly lend his ear or his mind to her disgrace. But
the detector of the adultery, in proof of the matter, showed the ring
on the finger of the soldier; and so persuading the king to believe
him, he succeeded in kindling the spirit of jealousy within him.
The king veiled under a calm demeanour his wrath against the queen and
the soldier, and appeared more than usually cheerful and kind. But
when a bright day occurred, he went out hunting, and summoning the
soldier to accompany him, sought the woods and forests with a great
company of beaters and dogs. Having loosed the dogs and stationed his
friends at different places, the king with the soldier came down to the
banks of the river Clud, and they, in a shady place on the green turf,
thought it would be pleasant to sleep for a little.
The soldier, suspecting no danger and resting his head, straightaway
slumbered; but the spirit of jealousy exciting the king, suffered him
neither to slumber nor to take any rest. Seeing the ring on the finger
of the sleeper, his wrath was kindled, and he with difficulty
restrained his hand from his sword and from shedding of blood; but he
controlled his rage, and after drawing the ring off the finger threw it
into the river, and then, waking the man, ordered him to return to his
companions and go home. The soldier waking up from sleep, and thinking
nothing about the ring, obeyed the king's order, and never discovered
what he had lost till he entered his house.
But when, on the return of the king, the queen in the usual manner came
forth from her chamber and saluted him, from his mouth there proceeded
threats, contempt, and reproach, while with flashing eyes and menacing
countenance he demanded where the ring was which he had entrusted to
her keeping. When she declared that she had it laid up in a casket,
the king, in the presence of all his courtiers, commanded her to bring
it to him. She, still full of hope, entered the inner chamber as if to
seek the ring, but straightaway sent a messenger to the soldier,
telling him of the king's anger, and ordering him to send the ring back
quickly.
The soldier sent back to the queen that he had lost the ring and could
not tell where. Then, fearing the face of the king, for the sake of
concealment, he absented himself from court. In the meantime, as she
sought further delays, and was slow in producing what, of course, she
could not find, uselessly seeking here and there, the king in fury
frequently calling her an adulteress, broke forth in curses saying:
"God do to me, and more also, if I judge thee not according to the law
of adulterers, and condemn thee to a most disgraceful death. Thou,
clinging to a young adulterer, hast neglected the king thy spouse; yet
I would have made thee the sharer of my bed and the mistress of my
kingdom: thou hast done it in secret; I will do it in public, and the
sun shall manifest thine ignominy and reveal thy more shameful things
before thy face."
And when he had said much after this sort, all the courtiers praying
for some delay, he with difficulty conceded three days, and ordered her
to be imprisoned. Cast into a dungeon, she now contemplated death as
imminent; but not the less did her guilty conscience torment her.
By the inspiration of the Lord, the woman in her great strait sent a
faithful messenger to Saint Kentigern, told him her whole misfortune,
and urgently requested help. She also begged that at least he would
use his influence with the king and beseech pardon for her, for there
was nothing so great which he would, or could, or ought to deny him.
The saintly bishop, knowing the whole story before the arrival of the
messenger, ordered him to go with a hook to the bank of the river Clud,
to cast the hook into the stream, and to bring back to him straightaway
the first fish that was caught upon it and taken out of the water.
The man did what the saint commanded, and exhibited in the presence of
the man of God a large fish which is commonly called a salmon; and on
his ordering it to be cut open and gutted in his presence, he found in
it the ring in question, which he straightaway sent by the same
messenger to the queen. And when she saw it and received it, her heart
was filled with joy, her mouth with praise and thanksgiving.
Therefore the queen returned to the king the ring he had required, in
the sight of all. Wherefore the king and all his court were sorry for
the injuries done to the queen; and humbly on his knees he sought her
pardon, and swore he would inflict a severe punishment, even death or
exile if she willed, upon her slanderers. But she wisely desired that
he should show mercy. And so the king, and the queen, and the accuser
were recalled to the grace of peace and mutual love.
Book information
----------------
Get more information on the books listed here
via our books page in association with Amazon.
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/books/amazon.html#[11.9]
[11.10] Scottish historic buildings and sites
Historic Scotland is the government organisation which looks after many
of Scotland's historic sites and ancient buildings
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/
There is also the National Trust for Scotland
http://www.scotlandonline.com/sntrust/
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments
of Scotland (RCAHMS)
http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/
Historic places to go in Scotland
http://www.electricscotland.com/historic/
and Scottish Natural Heritage
http://www.snh.org.uk/
The Architectural Heritage society of Scotland
http://www.ahss.org.uk/
may also be of interest
If you are interested in conservation, the site at
http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/
is well worth a visit. They are a Scottish conservation
charity dedicated to the regeneration and restoration of
the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland.
[11.11] William Wallace / Braveheart
Historical references
---------------------
If you want to read about the history rather than the Hollywood tale,
a scholarly work is 'William Wallace' by Andrew Fisher from
John Donald Publishers Ltd., 138 Stephen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
at 8.95 pounds plus postage. The Hollywood tale has a large number of
invented storylines and major historical inaccuracies and only has a
passing resemblance to historical fact.
Other references:
"Robert Bruce", by GWS Barrow, Edinburgh University Press.
"The Scottish and Welsh Wars 1250-1400"
by Christopher Rothero, Osprey Men-at_Arms Series.
"Robert the Bruce, King of Scots" Ronald McNair Scott, Canongate Pub.
"The Battle of Bannockburn, a Study in Medieval Warfare"
by WM MacKenzie, M.A., The Strong Oak Press Ltd.
"The Bruce Trilogy" by Nigel Tranter, Coronet Books.
"The Wallace", Nigel Tranter, Coronet Books.
"The Costume of Scotland" by John Telfer Dunbar. B.T. Batsford Ltd, London.
Further information
-------------------
Islay Woollen Mills
Bowmore
Isle of Islay
Scotland
PA43 7LB
The owner/operator, Gordon, did the weaving for the Braveheart tartans.
Links
-----
http://bay1.bjt.net/~melanie//bravehea3.html
and
http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/
William Wallace Stonehaven day
http://www.geocities.com/stonehavenday/
Book information
----------------
Get more information on the books listed here
via our books page in association with Amazon.
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/books/amazon.html#[11.11]
[11.12] Clan Links
General
-------
Gathering of the Clans: http://www.tartans.com/
Clan and Family name information http://www.impressions.uk.com/
http://www.tartans.com/
http://www.tartans.scotland.net/
Specific
--------
Clan Cameron http://www.clan-cameron.org/
Clan Donald USA: http://www.clan-donald-usa.org/
UK Clan Grant Society: http://www.clangrant.org/
Clan Gregor http://www.clangregor.com/
Clan Graham Association http://www.clan-graham-association.org.uk/pages/
Clan Stewart: http://www.stewartsociety.org/
Clan MacDonald http://www.macdonald.com/
Clan MacIntyre http://www.clanmacintyre.org/
Clan MacTavish http://www.mactavish.org/
Achlain medals - clan crest medals
----------------------------------
We are a company based in the Highlands of Scotland near Loch Ness who are
selling 99.9% pure silver clan crest medals. Our medals have been approved
by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
Please have a look at our site at:
http://www.achlainestates.co.uk/
The standing council can be reached at:
Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
Hope Chambers
52 Leith Walk
Edinburgh
EH6 5HW
Clan Gregor mailing list
------------------------
There is a new Mailing List for persons interested in the heritage of the
Clan Gregor (MacGregor), Clan Alpine (MacAlpine), and septs of Alpine and
Gregor.
Subscription is via E-Mail from the home page of the American Clan Gregor
Society:
http://www.webcom.com/us_scot/acgs.html
or directly to
mailto:us_scot@webcom.com
The mailing list is known as "Ard Choille". It is a moderated list for
all parties with an interest in MacGregor history, lineage, and current
events. The primary interests are to: bring persons interested in Clan
Gregor, its septs, and related clans together in clan friendship; collect
and publish historical and genealogical material; and inform participants
about the history of the Clan in Scotland and America; and aid
descendants within the Clan.
Further clan information
------------------------
See also [11.1] and [12.5]
[11.13] John MacLean
Article by Abby Sale, and from an extract by Sorley MacLean, Craig Cockburn
and Jack Campin
John Maclean was born 14 August 1879 (died St Andrews Day, 30-Nov-1923).
He was Scotland's great turn-of-the-century labour leader. He is mentioned
in two Hamish Henderson songs - Freedom Come all Ye and of course
The John MacLean march. He was a schoolteacher and member of the Social
Democratic Federation, who believed passionately in workers' education
(his teaching of 'Marxian economics' attracted classes of over 1000 at
times). He was anti-militarist, and was imprisoned four times between
1916 and 1921. His position as a socialist and a nationalist is unequalled
in Scottish politicial history. Some history books fail to mention him
at all and they can be judged on that. John MacLean has a street named
after him in St. Petersburg.
The lyrics of the John MacLean march are at
http://www.dickalba.demon.co.uk/songs/texts/johnmacl.htm
Maclean's triumphant return to Glasgow from Peterhead Jail was 3 December
1918. See The biography by James D. Young, _John Maclean: Clydeside
Socialist_ (Clydeside Press.) It's still available from AK Distribution,
who have a US office: http://www.akpress.org/
Sorley MacLean wrote of John MacLean
Clann Ghill-Eain
----------------
Chan e iadsan a bha\saich
an a\rdan Inbhir-che/itean
dhaindeoin gaisge is uabhair
ceann uachdrach ar sgeula
ach esan bha'n Glaschu,
ursann-chatha nam feumach,
Iain Mo/r MacGill-Eain,
ceann is fe\itheam ar sgeula.
The Clan MacLean
----------------
Not they who died
in the hateur of Inverkeithing
in spite of valour and pride
the high head of our story ;
but he who was in Glasgow
the battle-post of the poor,
great John MacLean
the top and hem of our story.
Book information
----------------
Get more information on the books listed here
via our books page in association with Amazon.
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/books/amazon.html#[11.13]
[11.14] Robert Tannahill
Information on the Scottish composer Robert Tannahill, based on David
Semple's "The Poems and Songs and Correspondence of Robert Tannahill,
with Life and Notes." Paisley: Alex Gardner, 1876.
Robert Tannahill's family had been weavers for several generations at
Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. They moved to Paisley in 1756, which a that time had
more than 1300 working looms and only about 4000 people. They did well,
married, raised large families, served their church, and owned their houses.
In 1786 James Tannahill, Robert's father, was chosen Deacon or Boxmaster of
the Paisley Old Weavers' Society. Family connections have a bearing on
Tannahill's work, not only because prosperity made possible both the
education and the leisure to pursue the arts, but more specifically because
his mother, Janet Pollick, was related to the Brodie family, which had
produced several poets and actors among its farmers and weavers. One of
her cousins, Robert Brodie, was a poet of some local renown, and a
frequent visitor to the Tannahill home.
Robert was the 5th child and 4th son, born June 3, 1774, and was sickly
from the start. Through careful nursing, he survived, and "a slight bend
in the right foot was straightened." His constitution remained delicate
throughout his life, however, and he endured considerable pain and
embarrassment from a lifelong limp. He wore extra stockings on his thin
right leg to make it look more like his other leg, and all his life was
bashful of meeting strangers.
Both Robert's parents had had a liberal education, and the children were
sent to school from the age of 6 to 12. Robert did not distinguish
himself at school, though by age 10 he was entertaining his friends
with verses about public figures in the town. After leaving school
he bought a dictionary with a grammar included and continued to instruct
himself in his chosen avocation.
In 1786, aged 12, he was apprenticed to his father, working in the
relatively light trade of muslin, linen and silk weaving. Apparently
some biographers have asserted that this was a sign of family poverty,
but Semple asserts it was the custom of the town for boys to go to
work at that age, and that wages were good. Robert also spent a good deal
of time walking, to strengthen his leg and his constitution, though it
also increased his pain. The "woods of Craigielee" were but a 3 minute
walk from his father's house, and the countryside around Paisley served
as setting and material for many of his later songs.
Robert's apprenticeship ended in 1791, the year Tam O'Shanter was
published (expensively). It came out cheaply in 1794, and folks in Paisley
felt especially attached to the story because of the reference to a
"cutty sark o Paisley harn." Robert and his friends walked from Paisley
to Alloway Kirk & spent six weeks in Burns' country..
At this time, when he was about 20, Robert seems to have begun a conscious
self-education by reading and correspondence, toward the "treating of
poetry and music". His declared purpose in this period was to restore the
popularity of old Scottish airs by writing new words for them. He must
have been working feverishly (perhaps literally so, given his health) for
he attached an inkpot to the frame of his loom so he could write down
whatever came to him as he worked. (Which makes one wonder to what
extent the rhythm of weaving affected the rhythms of his poems.)
In 1795, the poet met Jenny Tennant, a girl about 4 years older than
himself, who had come with her mother to Paisley from Dunblane to seek
employment. They "walked out together" for 3 years but she married
another in 1798. How much this disappointment contributed to Robert's
later despondency is of course a favourite topic of speculation.
By the end of the century, the population of Paisley had ballooned to
nearly 24,000, and when a widespread crop failure in 1799 caused a
stagnation in trade throughout the UK, the town was thrown into a crisis.
Provisions rose to famine prices and committees were formed to operate
soup kitchens. Robert, then 26, and his youngest brother, Hugh, then 20,
went to England looking for work, but found the "distress" there equally
severe. In Bolton, Lancashire, they were taken in by a former Paisley
weaver and through him were able to find work. They were called home,
however, by the end of 1801, to attend their father's death bed. Robert
moved back in with his mother and returned to his loom and his poems. The
correspondence included in Semple's collection begins in the spring of 1802.
Tradesmen of Paisley had been forming reading clubs and other societies for
"mental culture" since about 1770. Robert and his friends formed a new
one in 1803 devoted exclusively to music, poetry, and literature. Its
15-20 members "considered themselves the cream of the intellectual
tradesmen of the town," and their meetings included the vociferous and
detailed critique of various poems and publications, including Robert's
poems. The proceedings were in general well lubricated, and Robert endured
a lot of ridicule for abstaining from liquor--whether for moral or health
reasons is not clear. Robert valued the opinions of these men (and at
least one woman, who hosted them when they travelled from Paisley to meet
with like-minded men in Kilmarnock) and continued to court their good
opinion until the day of his death. He wrote "The Soldier's Return," a
"dramatic interlude," on request from a local actor (who died before he
finished it), and submitted it to the club for critique. They disliked it,
and apparently told Tannahill the reasons in some detail, and with a deal
of drunken enthusiasm, when he inquired. The poet was crushed by this
reaction, and sullenly continued to believe the drama was his "complete
masterpiece".
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