I imagine the first question anyone will ask is what is a column called "Scottish Flotsam". I guess we will have to begin with what is "flotsam". Among the definitions of the word are "things washed ashore" or "miscellaneous trifles". Well, we believe you can find some great treasure on the ocean shore. But -- you will never know what you will find or its value. So we decided that is what this column is - flotsam. We wanted a place to put things that didn't fit anywhere else and might be of interest. Each item could be a column itself and might be some day but for now it will be the flotsam, which washes our way.

The murder of Beaton (1494 - 1546) at St Andrews Castle on 29th May 1546 and seizure of the fortress by Kirkcaldy of Grange (1520 - 1573) and his fellow assassins placed the Regent Arran (1516 - 1575) in a difficult position. While the incident didn't spark off a Protestant revolt, most of the 'castilians' being too radical or reprobate for any general support, the government would have to take some kind of action, especially as Arran's brother John Hamilton (1512 -1571) was bishop elect of Dunkeld and as those inside also favoured the English marriage arrangement for Mary (1542 - 1587). On the other hand the regent didn't want the position of Mary of Guise (1515 - 1587) strengthened by some form of French intervention while he had also to consider that his eldest son, James (1538 - 1609), was held as hostage within the castle. Arran's quandary helps to explain the ineffectual measures taken against the rebels in 1546 including the futile attempt at blowing up the stronghold by mining. The members of the garrison, were in touch with England and hoped for intervention from that source - it was on this assumption that Knox (1512-1572) entered the castle as chaplain in April 1547. However, it was the kinsmen of the dowager who took the first steps to break the siege by bombardment of the fortress. On 31 July the castle surrendered and its occupants were either imprisoned or sent to the galleys.

DONALDSON, G., Scotland: James V to James VI, Oliver & Boyd 1965

Now lets look at some specific dates:

1139 - April 9
Treaty of Durham was drawn between King Stephen of England and David I, King of Scots. David's son was to have Northumberland, except for the castles of Bamburgh and Newcastle.

1945 - April 12
Doctor Robert McIntyre became the first Scottish Nationalism MP by winning the Motherwell by-election.

1803 - April 16
Glasgow magistrates sought a city executioner. They were anxious to get a ' well-behaved man', the previous incumbent having brought a 'degree of disgrace' to the post.

1778- April 22
John Paul Jones, Kirkcubright-born founder of the United States Navy, anchored in the Solway Firth prior to a raid on Whitehaven and an attempt to kidnap the Earl of Selkirk.

Source - Scotching the Myths by Jim Hewiston can be found in the History Book Section of Scottish Radiance.

It is time to stop combing the library but we can not quit without some quotes from Quotable Scots another great History bookshelf resident. Let's see what quotes we can find.

America

There they are cutting each other's throats, because half of them prefer hiring their servants for life and the other by the hour.
Thomas Carlyle, referring to the American Civil War.

It is a form of Arctic St Andrews.
Robert Louis Stevenson, of Saranac Lake, New York, 1888.

America is the last abode of romance and other medieval phenomena.
Eric Linklater (1899 - 1974), novelist, Juan in America.

Is mòr a thèid thar ceann slàn.

A sound head will come through much.

You can find more articles in the archive under Scottish Flotsam.