by J. R. Tomlin
As for my historical references, the major ones are The Brus by John Barbour, Chronicle of Lanercost translated by Sir Herbert Maxwell, Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland by Geoffrey W. S. Barrow, Robert the Bruce, King of Scots by Ronald McNair Scott, James the Good, The Black Douglas by David R. Ross, and The Scottish War of Independence by Evan M. Barron.
List of Historical Characters
Sir James de Douglas, Lord of Douglas -- known as the Sir James the Good and the Black Douglas), Scottish soldier and knight, lieutenant and friend to King Robert de Bruce
William de Lamberton, -- Bishop of St Andrews who campaigned for the cause of Scottish freedom under Andrew de Moray, William Wallace and Robert de Bruce
Edward I of England -- English king who attempted the conquest of Scotland, also known as Edward Longshanks because of his height and The Hammer of the Scot
Aymer du Valence -- Earl of Pembroke, one of the commanders of the English forces during the invasion of Scotland
Robert de Clifford -- Baron of Clifford, Lord of Skipton, English commander during the war with Scotland also first Lord Warden of the Marches
Robert de Bruce -- Earl of Carrick, Lord of Annandale, King of the Scots
Elizabeth de Burgh -- daughter of the Earl of Ulster, second wife of King Robert de Bruce and his only queen consort
Sir Christopher Seton -- husband of Christina de Bruce and brother-in-law of King Robert de Bruce
John de Strathbogie -- Earl of Atholl and Justiciary of Scotland
Maol Íosa -- Earl of Strathearn, Scottish nobleman
Robert Wishart -- Bishop of Glasgow and a leading supporter of King Robert de Bruce
David de Moray -- Bishop of Moray and supporter of Scottish freedom and of King Robert de Bruce
Philip de Mowbray -- Scottish nobleman
There are two men named John Comyn referred to in this novel:
John Comyn -- Lord of Badenoch and Lochabar also called John "the Red Comyn", Scottish nobleman, Guardian of Scotland during the Second Interregnum, killed by King Robert de Bruce at Greyfriars Church
John Comyn -- Earl of Buchan, Scottish nobleman who was the husband of Isabella MacDuff
Isabella MacDuff -- married to John Comyn, Earl of Buchan and was the Countess-consort of Buchan
Sir Thomas Randolph -- nephew of King Robert de Bruce
Alexander de Bruce, Thomas de Bruce, Nigel de Bruce, and Edward de Bruce -- younger brothers of King Robert de Bruce
Sir Niall Campbell -- brother-in-law of King Robert de Bruce and husband of Mary de Bruce
Sir Robert Boyd -- Scottish nobleman and loyal follower of King Robert de Bruce
Mary de Bruce and Christina de Bruce -- sisters of King Robert de Bruce
Sir Gilbert de la Haye -- supporter of King Robert de Bruce who commanded his bodyguard at the battle of Methven
Marjorie de Bruce -- daughter of King Robert de Bruce by his first wife Isabella of Mar
Maol Choluim -- Earl of Lennox and loyal follower of King Robert de Bruce
Christina MacRaurie -- also known as Christina of the Isles, a Scottish noblewoman and supporter of King Robert de Bruce
Angus Óg MacDonald, Lord of the Isles -- Scottish nobleman and supporter of King Robert de Bruce
Author's Notes / Scottish and Archaic Words
In writing historical fiction, an author sometimes has to choose between making language understandable and making it authentic. While I use modern English in this novel, the people of 14th century Scotland, of course, spoke mainly Scots, and Gaelic and French. To give at least a feel of their language and because some concepts can only be expressed using terms we no longer use, there are Scottish and archaic English words in this work. Many are close to or even identical to current English although used in a medieval context. The following is a list of terms in which I explain some of the words and usages that might be unfamiliar. I hope you will find the list interesting and useful."
Aright, In a proper manner; correctly.
Aye, Yes.
Bailey, An enclosed courtyard within the walls of a castle.
Bairn, (Scots), Child.
Baldric, Leather belt worn over the right shoulder to the left hip for carrying a sword. Banneret, A feudal knight ranking between a knight bachelor and a baron, who was entitled to lead men into battle under his own standard.
Bannock, (Scots), A flat, unleavened bread made of oatmeal or barley flour, generally cooked on a flat metal sheet.
Barbican, A tower or other fortification on the approach to a castle or town, Especially one at a gate or drawbridge.
Battlement, A parapet in which rectangular gaps occur at intervals to allow for firing arrows.
Bedecked, To adorn or ornament in a showy fashion.
Bend, A band passing from the upper dexter corner of an escutcheon to the lower sinister corner.
Berlinn, Ship used in the medieval Highlands, Hebrides and Ireland having a single mast and from 18 to 40 oars.
Betime, On occasion.
Bracken, Weedy fern.
Brae, (Scots), Hill or slope.
Braeside, (Scots), Hillside.
Barmy, Daft.
Braw, (Scots), Fine or excellent.
Brigandines, Body armor of leather, lined with small steel plates riveted to the fabric.
Brogans, Ankle high work shoes.
Buffet, A blow or cuff with or as if with the hand.
Burgher, A citizen of a borough or town, especially one belonging to middle class.
Burn, (Scots), a name for watercourses from large streams to small rivers.
Caltrop, A metal device with four projecting spikes so arranged that when three of the spikes are on the ground, the fourth points upward.
Carillon, Music on chromatically tuned bells esp. in a bell tower.
Cateran, Member of a Scottish Highland band of fighters.
Ceilidh, A Scottish social gathering at which there is music, singing, dancing, and storytelling.
Chancel, The space around the altar at the liturgical east end.
Checky banner, In heraldry, having squares of alternating tinctures or furs.
Chief, The upper section of a shield.
Chivalry, As a military term, a group of mounted knights.
Chivvied, Harassed.
Cloying, To cause distaste or disgust by supplying with too much of something originally pleasant.
Cot, Small building.
Couched, To lower (a lance, for example) to a horizontal position.
Courser, A swift, strong horse, often used as a warhorse.
Crenel, An open space or notch between two merlons in the battlement of a castle or city wall.
Crook, Tool, such as a bishop's crosier or a shepherd's staff.
Curtain wall, The defensive outer wall of a medieval castle.
Curst, A past tense and a past participle of curse.
Dagged, A series of decorative scallops along the edge of a garment such as a hanging sleeve.
Defile, A narrow gorge or pass.
Destrier, the heaviest class of warhorse.
Din, A jumble of loud, usually discordant sounds.
Dirk, A long, straight-bladed dagger.
Dower, The part or interest of a deceased man's real estate allotted by law to his widow for her lifetime, often applied to property brought to the marriage by the bride.
Draughty, Drafty.
Empurple, To make or become purple.
Erstwhile, In the past, at a former time, formerly.
Ewer, A pitcher, especially a decorative one with a base, an oval body, and a flaring spout.
Faggot, A bundle of sticks or twigs, esp. when bound together and used as fuel.
Falchion, A short, broad sword with a convex cutting edge and a sharp point.
Farrier, One who shoes horses.
Fash, Worry.
Fetlock, A ‘bump’ and joint above and behind a horse’s hoof.
Forbye, Besides.
Ford
, A shallow crossing in a body of water, such as a river.
Gambeson, Quilted and padded or stuffed leather or cloth garment worn under chain mail.
Garron, A small, sturdy horse bred and used chiefly in Scotland and Ireland.
Gilded, Cover with a thin layer of gold.
Girth, Band around a horse's belly.
Glen, A small, secluded valley.
Gorse, A spiny yellow-flowered European shrub.
Groat, An English silver coin worth four pence.
Hallo, A variant of Hello.
Hart, A male deer.
Hauberk, A long armor tunic made of chain mail.
Haugh, (Scots) A low-lying meadow in a river valley.
Hen, A term of address (often affectionate), used to women and girls.
Hied, To go quickly; hasten.
Hock, The joint at the tarsus of a horse or similar animal, pointing backwards and corresponding to the human ankle.
Holy Rude, (Scots), The Holy Cross
Hoyden, High-spirited; boisterous.
Jape, Joke or quip.
Jesu, Vocative form of Jesus.
Ken, To know (a person or thing).
Kirk, A church.
Kirtle, A woman's dress typically worn over a chemise or smock.
Laying, To engage energetically in an action.
Loch, Lake.
Louring, Lowering.
Lowed, The characteristic sound uttered by cattle; a moo.
Malmsey, A sweet fortified Madeira wine
Malting, A building where malt is made.
Marischal, The hereditary custodian of the Royal Regalia of Scotland and protector of the king's person.
Maudlin, Effusively or tearfully sentimental.
Mawkish, Excessively and objectionably sentimental.
Mercies, Without any protection against; helpless before.
Merk, (Scots), a coin worth 160 pence.
Merlon, A solid portion between two crenels in a battlement or crenellated wall.
Midges, A gnat-like fly found worldwide and frequently occurring in swarms near ponds and lakes, prevalent across Scotland
Mien, Bearing or manner, especially as it reveals an inner state of mind.
Mount, Mountain or hill.
Murk, An archaic variant of murky.
Nae, No, Not.
Nave, The central approach to a church’s high altar, the main body of the church.
Nock, To fit an arrow to a bowstring.
Nook, Hidden or secluded spot.
Outwith, (Scots) Outside, beyond.
Palfrey, An ordinary saddle horse.
Pap, Material lacking real value or substance.
Parapet, A defensive wall, usually with a walk, above which the wall is chest to head high.
Pate, Head or brain.
Pell-mell, In a jumbled, confused manner, helter-skelter.
Perfidy, The act or an instance of treachery.
Pillion, Pad or cushion for an extra rider behind the saddle or riding on such a cushion.
Piebald, Spotted or patched.
Privily, Privately or secretly.
Quintain, Object mounted on a post, used as a target in tilting exercises
Retiral, The act of retiring or retreating.
Rood, Crucifix
Runnels, A narrow channel.
Saddlebow, The arched upper front part of a saddle.
Saltire, An ordinary in the shape of a Saint Andrew's cross, when capitalized: the flag of Scotland. (a white saltire on a blue field)
Samite, A heavy silk fabric, often interwoven with gold or silver.
Sassenach, (Scots), An Englishman, derived from the Scots Gaelic Sasunnach meaning, originally, "Saxon."
Schiltron, A formation of soldiers wielding outward-pointing pikes.
Seneschal, A steward or major-domo
Siller, (Scots), Silver.
Sirrah, Mister; fellow. Used as a contemptuous form of address.
Sleekit, (Scots), Unctuous, deceitful, crafty.
Sumpter horse, Pack animal, such as a horse or mule.
Surcoat, An outer tunic often worn over armor.
Tail, A noble’s following of guards.
Thralldom, One, such as a slave or serf, who is held in bondage.
Tiddler, A small fish such as a minnow
Tisane, An herbal infusion drunk as a beverage or for its mildly medicinal effect.
Tooing and froing, Coming and going.
Trailed, To drag (the body, for example) wearily or heavily.
Trebuchet, A medieval catapult-type siege engine for hurling heavy projectiles.
Trencher, A wooden plate or platter for food.
Trestle table, A table made up of two or three trestle supports over which a tabletop is placed.
Trews, Close-fitting trousers, usually of tartan.
Tun, Large cask for liquids, especially wine.
Villein, A medieval peasant or tenant farmer
Wain, Open farm wagon.
Wattles, A fleshy, wrinkled, often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck.
Westering, To move westward.
Wheedling, To use flattery or cajolery to achieve one's ends.
Whey, The watery part of milk separated from the curd.
Whilst, While.
Whist, To be silent—often used as an interjection to urge silence..
Wroth, Angry.
Map of Scotland - Castle Locations
His hair was black, so I heard say,
His limbs were finely made and long,
His bones were large, his shoulders strong,
His body was well-knit and slim
And so say those who set eyes on him,
When happy, charming was he,
And gentle and sweet in company,
But those with him in battle saw
Another countenance he wore!
CHAPTER ONE
James, erstwhile Lord of Douglas, pushed aside a thick branch, heavy with leaves, to peer up the long slope. Draped in wisps of mist, Douglas Castle made a hulking shape against the golden coin of the early morning sun. His castle, though an English banner and army sat within, was no great fortress, yet it was a strong place with a massive stone keep surrounded by a square of curtain walls fifteen-feet high and flanking towers at each corner. Taking it by storm was outwith his strength.
In the quiet, a lark trilled. It soared, reached a peak and plummeted toward earth. James waved away midges buzzing about his neck. In the dense woods behind him, another lark answered.
He stepped to the edge of the forest, under a gnarled limb of a giant oak and turned in a circle to look over the field. The ground was broken and rolling before him, toward the castle road soft and muddy from the spring rains, and stony beyond the road. Yellow-bloomed, thorny gorse bushes gave a spicy scent. A few trees dotted the hill near the castle, but past the forest’s edge most had been cleared to permit a watch for approaching enemies.
Cattle lowed, deep and protesting in the distance. They cleared the rise and a man bent over his horse's withers to smack the lead cow, urging it to a faster pace. The herd was a mass of shaggy red hides and wide, swinging horns. At the rear, two men waved their arms, shouting.
A horn blew within the castle. Shouts drifted on the sweet morning air.
The herd thundered past the castle. The rumbling mass gained the rocky road. James's heart pounded in his chest in time to the hoof beats. Under his steel helm sweat dripped down his brow.
The castle gate thudded open. Horsemen trailed over the drawbridge. They’d be cursing the Scots who dared take back the animals the English had stolen. Squinting, James counted twenty in all, armor glinting where it caught the rays of the sun.
The English had swallowed the bait.
James dashed back into the cover of the trees, grabbed his reins, and swung into the saddle. He jerked his horse into a turn to edge further into the dense forest. Dew-damp leaves slapped his face as he rode. He brushed them aside. It was dark amon
gst the trees, but he made out the shapes of his men. “Wat! They're moving.” He swung his small kite shield from his back and flexed his shoulder as he set his hand into the leather straps. Thanks be to St. Bride, it had been his shield arm that had been injured at the Battle of Loudon Hill.
A horse snorted. Metal rattled as one of his three score of men on small, rough-coated horses pulled his sword free.
Wat said, “Steady, men. Let the thieving English pass us.”
James's heart thumped hard against his breastbone as he bent to pat an archer's shoulder. Beyond the man, fifteen more clothed in the green of Ettrick foresters stood, well screened by the heavy oak from the oncoming cattle and their pursuers. “Nock and hold,” James said. “Easy now.”
The rumble of cattle hooves, though still distant, grew closer.
“Hoi! Move you!” a voice shouted.
The rumble grew louder. Shouts came from further behind. James nudged his horse into the dense, leafy branches and shoved them aside. The cattle, at a dead run urged on by shouts of the waving riders, surged past.
James pulled his sword. “Hold,” he said softly.
The riders from the castle had strung out in a line. A bareheaded knight, blond hair streaming, galloped on a heavy bay in front. James grinned. Thirwell.
"A Douglas," James shouted and swung his sword down—halting and pointing it at his enemy. He dug his spurs into the horse's flank. His mount surged forward. "A Douglas!" James burst through the branches, his men beside him.