How about one of Scotland's king's with a questionable reputation.
AN EYE FOR THE LASSIES
No one at Scone would have been stunned if they had humphed Bleary Bob' along to his Coronation on a stretcher. This grandson of the freedom fighter Robert the Bruce and one of the nation's less well-kent monarchs, was crowned in March 1371, and the fact that he was able to walk to the ceremony must rank as a minor medieval miracle.
Certainly Robert II was past the first flush of princely youth; he was, at 55, much nearer pensionable age. But it was his lifestyle rather than his years which threatened to take its toll.
No contemporary king I can uncover better deserves the title of 'Sire'. According to the best genealogical estimates, he had 12 legitimate children - five sons and seven daughters. He had also surrounded himself with a team of bastard sons, eight in all, and those statistics, combined with Bob's impressive work-rate, would seem to suggest that a squad of illegitimate daughters must also have been lurking somewhere behind the arras.
His nickname, 'Bleary Bob', therefore, seems self-explanatory. Long, sleepless nights spent constructing a memorable dynasty left him little time for shut-eye. What dedication! What self-sacrifice! Hence the red-rimmed eyes which earned him his sobriquet? The explanation, alas, is less romantic.
Robert, had he lived today, would surely have been the 'shades' monarch. He suffered from an inflammation of the eyes to which, his biographers suggest, light and active exertion must have been painful. Froissart, who visited Robert's court, gives his usual colourful description of the king's affliction. One eye, says the chronicler, was turned up and red in colour like sandalwood. An eye for the lassies and no mistake.
The reign of Robert II - the first Stuart monarch - was characterised by struggles with economic difficulties at home and political problems on the international front. Unfortunately, Robert is reckoned to have been a peaceable sort of bloke at a time when the long struggle for freedom had made his people warlike, almost by nature.
Border battles persisted throughout his 19-year reign. Otterbum, where the Douglases squared up to the Percys of Northumberland in 1388, is seen by some historians as the rubber-stamp which confirmed Scottish independence. This battle is celebrated in song and ballad.
I suspect Robert II, as a lover more than a fighter, would have been drawn more to the ballad than the bloodshed. So, let's raise our glasses to Robert, hundredth successor to Fergus Mor mac Ere, Bleary Bob', the man who got creative kingsmanship down to a fine art.
What are some of the events that occurred in March.
1424 - March 12
King James I appointed an advocate for the poor - an enlightened and far-seeing move.
1883 - March 17
Crofters Commission appointed to inquire into the farming conditions in the Highlands and Islands.
1596 - March 20
A great shortage of ministers was reported in Scotland: of 900 kirks, only 500 had ministers or readers.
1886 - March 25
Men acting on the orders of Lady Matheson of Lewis Castle, Stornoway, pulled down houses built by crofters on their hereditary lots. However, at Sheshader a hostile reception forced them to abandon their demolition plans.
1306 - March 27
Robert Bruce was crowned King of Scots by the Countess of Buchan in a ceremony at Scone. The new king was 31.
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. Lets see what quotes we can find to help with the new year
FUN
I am one of those who always think it fun to be in
Scotland.
Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953), French-born British writer
and poet, Places, 1942
The tackling might be fun.
Clare Grogan, whose fantasy on Trading Places Swap
Shop, a television progranne in aid of charity, was to be a
Celtic footballer, 1992
I'm not upset about it. You've got to be a sport if something like this happens to you.
Carol Smillie, television presenter victim of a hoax on a popular show, 1993
There are far too many people in the game who are unhappy. Football is a business - but fun must come first.
Ivan Golac
You can find more articles in the archive under Scottish Flotsam.
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