Advance notice that the A.GM. of the English Branch which will be on 4th. May next in the Old Hall Hotel, Buxton (below)

 

The 15th. A.G.M. of the English Branch of the Society will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 4th. May 2013 which is part of a Bank Holiday weekend. Appropriately it will be held in the Old Hall Hotel in Buxton where Marie stayed on five recorded occasions during August 1573 and July 1584 to "Take the waters". The meeting will be held in the Shrewsbury Room which is in the Tudor part of the building, with vaulted ceiling, and which was most likely known and used by Marie.In recent months there as been an added attraction of interest to us. A document in the Portland Papers at Longleat reproduces messages, poems and sketches etc. which had been scratched onto glass windows in the Old Hall (or the New Hall as it was then known) during the period when Marie was in Buxton. There are 39 "window writings" in all, 16 of which are believed to have been written by Marie. It is thought that the document faithfully reproduces the written texts, and was made by Michael Hicks, Secretary to Lord Burghley. The facsimile has been made on specially produced "restoration glass" and now hangs in the hallway of the Old Hall Hotel.

The formal AGM will be followed by a talk given by Patrick Chapman who will outline the visits of Marie to Buxton and discuss in detail the "window writings".

Depending on building work, which in itself is of great interest, it may be possible for small groups to be taken into the sub-cellars in which there is a direct link to the spa waters, and is probably where Marie took the waters.

Accommodation is available at the Old Hall Hotel (www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk OR 01298 22841) and there is a b/b close by in Grosvenor House (grosvenorhouse-buxton@btopenworld.com or 01298 72439).

It would be helpful if those wishing to attend could indicate to the Chairman of the English Branch, Meg Langton if they will be attending this meeting.

25th. October 2012

Next Tuesday, (30th.) in the Edinburgh Central Library 7-9 George 1V Bridge Edinburgh (6 to 7.30 p.m.) sees the launch a a new book by Society member Marie Macpherson  entitled;

"The First Blast of the Trumpet"

As the Rev StewartLamont, author of "The Swordbearer", a biography of John Knox writes in his review;

 "This is an intriguing fictional tale of the early life of John Knox.

All member s of the Society are cordially invited to the opening when refreshments will be served and their will be period music  from the duo "Shattered Consort"

A renowned academic Marie is the winner of the Martha Hamilton prize for creative writing from the University of Edinburgh and also writer for the year 2011 awarded by Tyne and Esk writers Marie will be presenting a short documentary film followed by a reading from her novel and book signing.

Signed hardback copies of the book signed by the author will be available to purchase - price £20.

For reviews of the book

Society member Ann McMillan has written a review for which we are much indebted as follows;

It is Halloween in Hailes Castle. As the wind howls down the chimney the three young Hepburn sisters are crouched over the fire listening to the wisdom of their nurse Betsy. Their lives do not take the path that they would wish; Elizabeth wishes to marry David Lindsey the poet and tutor to James V, but they prove to be star-crossed lovers. Elizabeth’s Uncle, John Hepburn, the Prior of St. Andrews, has different plans for her, and for her sister who really does have a vocation for the religious life. Prior Hepburn decides that his niece Elizabeth will eventually become the Prioress of St. Mary’s Haddington, not for pious reasons but to further family interests. Thus begins the tale of the birth of the Scottish Reformation.

Most of the famous players from the 16^th century appear, and because of the excellent research their roles seem natural and believable; they include Marie of Guise, John Knox, ‘Bell the Cat’ Douglas, James 1V and V, and the various warring families of the age, amongst them the brutish Douglases and the devious Hepburns. Herein James 1V is not the golden monarch so beloved by his people, but a posturing man who enjoys acting the drunken jester at a wedding and who cannot wait to rush into the nuptial chamber to comment on the groom’s performance [the bride has already been his mistress] in ‘tail-toddle’. Nothing could dissuade James from his ill-judged campaign in Flodden, with lack of planning and untried weapons and his misguided cult of chivalry. Considering the catastrophic effect of Flodden Dr. MacPherson deals with it briefly. However the aftermath and effects are apparent throughout the book: the rivalries around the young King, the ‘widows of Flodden’ with their ragged starving children and the young undisciplined orphaned nobles.

In pre-Reformation Scotland sins of the flesh were considered venial rather than mortal and almost every churchman had at least one mistress, and several had a ‘wheen o’ weans’ whose futures had to be paid for. There were constant festivals and plays to keep the populace happy, and morality and nativity plays served like the music halls of a later date with the players being insulted and pelted with weapons.

Witnessing a nativity play where  jeering comments question the parentage of the ‘Babe of Bethlehem’ and lewd suggestions query what the Virgin and the Angel Gabriel ‘were up to’, the young student priest John Knox is horrified. Unable to stand the blasphemy any longer, he stands up and harangues the raucous crowd – only to be slapped down by being hit across the face with a wet haddock for his pains. So his debut as a preacher is not deemed much of a success.

It is from this ‘puddle of Papistry’, corruption and superstition that the young Knox begins to emerge and to question the practises of the Church and the role of the ‘ Anti-Christ’.  The villain of the book is the Catholic Church and the nastiest villain of all is James Beaton, who was to become Cardinal of Scotland.  He first appears in France as a vain popinjay with every conceivable vice, there is even a sickly odour around him, and it is not the odour of sanctity! The book is peopled with marvellous characters, most of whom existed. Some have a Chaucer-like quality - the gluttonous voluptuaries, the Hepburn brother and sister. They both eat enormous meals, and dress richly under their religious robes; and Janet’s cell in St. Mary’s is full of rich furnishings and trappings. With lewd thick lips, and small eyes that examine young maidens with a lascivious stare, the corpulent Prior indulges himself in every excess.  Prioress Janet is huge, with bulbous eyes set in a podgy face and evil smelling breath.

There is an hilarious scene where she tucks into a dish of stag's testicles that ‘tastes like strumpet’s teats’. The rest of the convent ate sparse and humble fare.

The protagonists are human, and no one is presented with a monopoly of right. There is a tenderness and humanity in the presentation of real historical characters. Marie of Guise comforting another mother as she watches her beloved little daughter run happily up the gang plank to the ship that will take her out of her life. The sturdy little girl plays tig with her ‘Marys’ on board the ship unaware that her life is about to change.

Betsy the fictional nursemaid to the Hepburn girls, lovingly laying out her dead youngest charge [‘her little harebell’]   in her mother’s wedding gown, and swallowing her tears, which can be saved for later, because if ‘tears fall on the body, the spirit will not rest’. The young Adam Hepburn tries manfully to hold true to the Hepburn family motto ‘Keep Tryst’ – Keep Trust. Going off to Flodden, like a young Hector proud in his shining armour, he salutes his Andromache and his young son on the battlements and, like Hector, never to return.

Dr Macpherson’s thrilling narrative is evocative and descriptive, full of the wonderful Scots words of the 16^th century and there are many quotations from the rick literature of the period. Being a linguist – she has ‘taught languages across Europe from Madrid to Moscow’- Dr Macpherson makes the Scots words and phrases sound natural and expected, and they do not appear forced nor in ‘inverted commas’.

The writer’s excellent research uncovers a harsh, decaying, unforgiving and raw world of rivalry and betrayal, where sins and decisions made can affect further generations. The brutal, earthy world of the 16^th century seems real and immediate, laced with saving humour. The romances are gritty and sensual without being gratuitous. There are some surprising plot revelations but, although questionable, they seem possible and believable. In the chaotic upheavals of this uncertain world with the looming religious conflicts, there are the stirring of the Reformation to come which will change Scotland forever and lead to the Enlightenment.

I look forward with impatience to the second book in the Knox trilogy.

Ann McMillan the Marie Stuart Society. Hon. President of the Dorothy Dunnett Society

The First Blast s of the Trumpet by Marie McPherson is published by Knox Robinson

 ISBN 978-1-908483-21-8      380pp         £19.99 [Hbk] and £6.17 e-book.   

Available from bookstores and on line at The Book Depository, Amazon and Books from Scotland

is a winner of the Martha Hamilton Prize for Creative Writing from Edinburgh University and also 'Writer of the Year 2011' awarded by Tyne & Esk Writers. Marie will be presenting a short documentary film followed by a reading from her novel and book signing. The evening will be further enhanced with period music from the duo Shatter'd Consort

26th. July 2012

Craufurdland Castle

Society member Myra McLanaghan has sent in the following article regarding Craufurdland Castle and letters of Mary, Queen of Scots.

"I wonder if anyone saw the recent programme on Channel 4 called "Country House Rescue"?  It was Craufurdland Castle at Kilmarnock (above) – during the introduction of the programme it talked of its history (built in 1245) namely William Wallace etc. and then it casually showed letters from Mary, Queen of Scots. Ayrshire seems to have a few secrets up its sleeve regarding Mary. The owner, also in looking around his property found a poem from Robert Burns. I think this is a secret treasure trove of a place.  Found the followings little snippets;

“John Craufurd of Craufurdland, who upon his father's resignation got a charter under the Great Seal Johanni Craufurd juniori de Craufurdland, terrarium ecclesiaticarum de Kilbryde, &c in Ayrshire, dated Feb 1581. During his lifetime, probably due mainly due to his Great Uncle's (Archibald Craufurd) influence, got form Mary Queen of Scots a gift of the ward of the lands of Reidhall, lying within the Stewartry of Annandale. The deed of gift, having the signature attached to it, dated at Edinburgh 26th. December 1561, is held by the family.”

“Story of Archibald Craufurd (back up to the Boyds & Montgomerys);

Archibald Craufurd was a Lord of Session, Secretary and Almoner to Queen Mary of Guise, with whose corpse he was sent to France in 1560 to see it deposited in the Benedictine Monastery of St Peter at Rheims, where her sister was then Abbess. While in France, he got a commission from her daughter, Queen Mary of Scots, renewing him his office of Secretary and Almoner. The commission, supposed to be the first granted to a Scotsman, is dated Joinville in France, 17th. April 1561. 

Queen Mary, after her arrival in Scotland, August 1561, was permitted to worship in the chapel in Holyrood. Riots attacks were sometimes made upon the chapel and there was danger of it being rifled at any time the Queen was absent from Edinburgh. On account of this, the Queen on 11th. January 1562 directed Sir James Paterson (probably one of her officiating chaplains, and one of her loyal Knights) to deliver her Valet de Chambre, Servais de Conde, and the furniture of her Chapel , to be kept by Archibald, in the wardrobe in her palace at Edinburgh (The original Inventory of which is held by the family). 

When Queen Mary was taken to Castle of Lochleven, as a prisoner, she was spoiled of all of her princely ornaments, which the Lords took inventory. It appears , however she found means to send to Archibald further treasures from her table. He kept these faithfully until they were demanded from him by the then Treasurer, Mr Richard Richardson, who in turn delivered these to James Stewart, Regent. He in turn granted his acquaintance for the same to Archibald (the original which is held by the family.

In addition to his noble service to Queen Mary and her mother, Archibald was also responsible for the building of the West Church of Glasgow, and the |Bridge of Eaglesham. He died unmarried”

Marie Stuart Society: Marie Stuart Society: Sheffield Manor

16th. May 2012

Marian Events at Sheffield Manor

The Society held a very successful Gathering at the Manor last spring when we were made very welcome and fair to say that we were very impressed with all the restoration and interpretive work which has taken place there in recent years.

Mary was of course prisoner at Sheffield Castle for fourteen long years from 1570 to 1584. The Castle itself has to all intents and purposes disappeared but the Lodge to which it was linked by a beautiful avenue of walnut trees has most fortunately survived and has now been handsomely restored

I have received a note of the following events with a bearing on Mary’s story which will taking place at the Manor this summer and autumn and which I am sure will be of interest both to Society members and others.

Tuesday 21^st. August

Who Dunnit? Someone has been sneeking messages out of Sheffield Manor Lodge to Mary supporters. Come and collect the clues. Interview the Tudor characters and see if you can find out who was guilty.

                                                Monday 3^rd.  September

“The final days of Mary, Queen of Scots” Talk by David Templeman  “Sheffield to Fortheringhay” at 7.0. p.m. Advance Booking only - £4

Friday 7^th. September

National Heritage Open Days;  Guided tour and costumed interpretation of the ruins and Turret House - Free.

Saturday 8^th. September

Mediaeval History Day; Guided tours and costumed interpretation of the ruins of Turret House -Free

Friday 2^nd. November

Tudor Crafts;  Find out how Bess of Hardwick and MQS used to pass their time . Booking essential.

Bess of Hardwick

Interspersed with the above are events covering archaeology, cooking, pottery, food and flower festivals to name but a few.

Full details see - www.manorlodge.org.uk

Ronald

Marie Stuart Society: Gunsgreen House

 Concert of 16th. century music at Gunsgreen House Eyemouth

Just heard of a concert of 16^th. century music on 26^th. May  at Gunsgreen House in Eyemouth which we would almost certainly have attended but for the fact that it clashes with the Society outing to Dundee.

Posting details as anyone not managing Dundee might just manage down to Eyemouth.

The concert is by Bel Canto, an Edinburgh-based a cappella group who specialise in the performance of choral music from the 15^th and 16^th centuries. In recent years this repertoire has been extended to include music of all periods, including some specially commissioned works. The Group comprises around 12 regular voices although draws on an extensive pool of deputies for the performance of larger scale pieces of music.

 The Group generally performs in historic settings and has performed widely in churches, cathedrals, castles and stately homes throughout Scotland, including an annual series of concerts for the National Trust for Scotland. They also gives recital in the various Galleries of Scotland.  

The group was founded by the current Director, David Buchanan-Cook, in 1990. He is also a composer of choral music and the premier of his Missa Brevis was performed by Bel Canto in St Aloysius Church, Glasgow in 2005.

The recital will consist of a selection of English Elizabethan madrigals on the theme of Fair Ladies and sundry winged creatures. The music will be interspersed with readings and refreshments will be served at the interval.

Tickets are priced at £15 which includes a glass of prosecco and nibbles at the interval.

To book contact Gunsgreen  or telephone 018907 52062

Marianne and I are voluntary guides at Gunsgreen House (usually on a Monday morning) and while nothing to do with Mary we thoroughly recommend a visit if in this part of the world. Designed by John Adam for a master smuggler this recently restored house has so much of historic interest and so many secrets to reveal.

Ronald

Dorothy Dunnett Society

Received today copy of a recent edition of the magazine “Whispering Gallery” which is a publication of the
Dorothy Dunnett Society.

This is not a magazine which I am familiar with, not indeed with the Society which exists to promote an interest in the works of author Dorothy Dunnett and the period in which they are set. Society member Ann McMillan is their Chairman.

I was very impressed indeed with the Magazine both the content and the quality.

Much of historic interest in the content including a most interesting and detailed article on the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh -a number of us visited and enjoyed a guided tour of the battlefield site only last September see-

Although no connection with Mary or her period another very interesting article written by Ann on “St. Ninian and the West Pilgrims’ Way”.

A Society which looks in many ways similar to our own - even to the extent that they will be holding their annual Gathering in Edinburgh on the same day as ourselves. Theirs however will extend over the whole week-end taking in talks on recent discoveries at Stirling Castle and a visit to the Castle and the Wallace Monument.

I have put up a link on our website.

Ronald