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| Series image- Dunkeld Cathedral |
I can hardly believe Friday has come round again, so soon.
It's time again for another wonderful contribution to my Friday "Aye. Ken it wis like this..." historical series, and today I'm joined by a new visitor to the blog- Ethyl Smith.
Ethyl's sent some fabulous (and some disturbing) images with the excellent 'potted history' background to her writing set in 17th Century Scotland, so take a deep breath, get comfortable and enjoy! I have to confess that part of my Open University History degree some decades ago included a course on 17th Century England, Oliver Cromwell being a leading player, but my knowledge of what went on in Scotland during those troubled times was woefully lacking. I'm now glad to be addressing that.
Welcome, Ethyl. Please tell us a bit about the historical setting of your main character...
STRANGE &
TROUBLED TIME
Thanks Nancy
for allowing me the space to share my passion for a particular time in Scottish
history. At speaking events I find people know little but want to know more
which is encouraging.
So here we go as I try to spike your interest.
17th century Scotland was a strange place,
fascinating but more than a little disturbing. The lust for power and political
intrigue has aye been. Today 'nowt seems to have chainged'. One review says of my
Time series … ‘this reminds us that the past is neither as distant nor as
complete as we might think.’
It was not a happy time to live through but one that
makes a good story.
My writing is fiction based on fact. It covers
1679-89, a ten-year period within all the mayhem. This is because my main
character John Steel was on the run from the law for this length of
time, never caught and lived to tell the tale. To have the law on his tail for
ten years … wow … to never be caught … well he has to be a special kind of
person.
To understand where he’s coming from, to have a
believable setting has meant extensive reading, research, site visits etc to
try and gain a handle on the full picture.
Nancy says:I can't imagine not doing heaps of research before writing historical fiction.
An unexpected bonus has been contact from Steel
descendants both here and abroad.
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| Courtesy of Ethyl Smith |
Along the way many interesting people have been willing
to share their knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm for this period. Those
involved in re-enactment are particularly helpful telling me about everything
from the difference between a Flintlock musket and a Matchlock musket, to how a
surgeon operated, how people dressed, what materials were available, how they
were sewn. And don’t forget what was cooked and eaten. So what was available?
Underlying it all was how might a 17th century mind tick, their
beliefs, where they came from, who influenced them, the social strata?
Hope you’re beginning to get the idea.
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| Courtesy of Ethyl Smith |
It all starts with the Stuart kings and their belief in
the Divine Right of Kings, that God has given them the right to rule and
preside over all matters civil and temporal. Scottish Presbyterians believed, and still do, in a direct line to God with no need for an intermediary. Such
opposing views can cause trouble … And they do.
In 1637, Charles 1 tries to bring the Scottish Kirk and
the English church closer together. With no consultation he replaces John
Knox’s Book of Discipline for Kirk organisation then orders the English Book of
Common Prayer to be used.
Outraged Scots
see this as an attempt to destroy their national identity and a movement
gathers momentum across the country. February 1638 men from all classes sign a
National Covenant and the trouble begins.
Meanwhile Charles falls out with his English
parliament. Civil war starts. King loses war and his head.
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| Cromwell and the Corpse of Charles I- Delaroche |
The Scots turn to the next Charles who declares his
approval of the Covenant and is crowned at Scone
in 1651.
Leader of parliamentarians, Oliver Cromwell reacts,
invades Scotland, Charles
retreats to France leaving
Cromwell in control of Scotland
till his death nine years later.
Charles invited to return as king and thereafter ‘the
baw is on the slates.’
He wastes no time in re-introducing Episcopacy in England, renouncing Covenants and ordering Scotland to do
likewise.
Kirk ministers resist, over 400 are expelled from
their parishes and begin preaching in open air which become known as
‘conventicles.’
Armed rebellion is attempted, fails, resentment
deepens when attendance at Conventicles becomes treasonable and actual
preaching a capital offence.
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| Courtesy of Ethyl Smith |
By 1679 enough is enough. Covenanters kill an
archbishop for his persecution of the kirk. Declarations against king and
government follow. Things hot up when John Graham of Claverhouse’s platoon
disturbs a field-meeting only to be seen off in disgrace. A few weeks later he
has his revenge at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Prisoners are marched to Edinburgh, imprisoned in
Greyfriars Kirkyard before many are shipped off to the colonies as slaves.
Resistance is forced underground. Rebel preachers
travel the wild spaces and attract huge congregations. Ministers such as
Alexander Peden, Donald Cargill, Richard Cameron, James Renwick keep the
resistance alive and pay the ultimate price when caught … They all were caught
except Peden who died of natural causes only to be dug up again … But that’s
another story.
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| Courtesy of Ethyl Smith |
The crown tightens control. Life becomes very
difficult for ordinary men and women with the Oath of Abjuration which means
allegiance to the crown or be declared a traitor.
Many refuse. Terrible repercussions follow. What is
known as the Killing Times begins.
Charles 11 dies in 1684. His brother James, a Roman
Catholic, is next in line. More protests follow, Earl of Argyll attempts
another rebellion which again fails and he is quickly executed.
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| Torture-Courtesy of Ethyl Smith |
James now offers Scotland an Indulgence of
Toleration. This allows religious freedom provided individuals swear allegiance
to king. But how can any Covenanter swear allegiance to a man who believes in
the Divine Right of Kings?
English nobles are not happy either, especially when
James’ wife gives birth to a son. A Catholic heir to the throne.
They contact the Protestant prince William of Orange,
who just happens to be married to James’ eldest daughter Mary who is also a
Protestant. He is offered crown, accepts, sets out with an armada to land at Torbay and be welcomed. James flees to France then asks his main supporter John Graham
to rally Scotland
for his cause.
The faithful Graham does his best and gathers considerable
sympathy in the highlands where many are Catholic. A further battle follows at
Killiekrankie where Graham’s men win decisively but he is killed. A 2nd battle at Dunkeld gives
Prebyterians the upper hand.
The long awaited ‘Glorious Revolution’ happens.
William of Orange restores Presbyterianism to Scotland.
After all this is Scotland now a happier place? Not
really. But as they say this is another part of the story for another time.
This is very much a heavily edited version of the
background to my series, much has been left out but I hope it gives you some
idea of the twist and turns. Main one being that the so called great and the
good of Scotland, who’d been avid persecutors of the Covenanting Cause, turned
their coats with William … Like I said at the beginning ‘naethin hus chainged.’
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| Ethyl Smith |
Can also be found wandering through twitter @ethylsmith
Thank you for visiting today, Ethyl. My very best wishes to you with your series and for all future writing.
Slainthe!
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DelarocheCromwell.jpg
