| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Stevie
Independentist
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Posts: 1179
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:02 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| azzuri wrote: | History isn't my strong point unfortunately IF so feel free to start a couple of threads - I might just learn something useful today!  |
I realise this is a relatively ancient post BUT history hasn't changed much since you posted it here.
May I suggest you read (if you haven't already that is) The Bruce Trilogy by Nigel Tranter.
90% of the history is solid and the other 10% is fair guesswork by this accomplished historian / writer (who is sadly no longer with us).
I believe you will understand historically why you are and why there is still such a place as Scotland at all. Moreover, if Bruce could be called the father of Scotland then it gives to my mind a clearer picture of the Scots today (for better rather than worse).
This could be truly said for all here on the forum who haven't quite the 'grasp' of Scotland they might like.
Oh yes, it's a pretty good read too.
There is the audio casstte version (Why not CD? I don't know)
  
_________________
Every man dies, not every man really lives.
Alba gu brąth! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Dave Coull
Independentista
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2809
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| azzuri wrote: | | History isn't my strong point unfortunately |
| Bravehand wrote: | | I realise this is a relatively ancient post BUT history hasn't changed much since you posted it here. |
No, history hasn't changed much in a month or two. However, on a time-scale of decades, even quite ancient history can and does change. A history of the "middle ages" written in the early Twentieth Century can seem very out of date now. One reason for this is that the political/cultural perspective from which it was written has changed. Nowadays, we are less likely to be exclusively interested in what the kings and other big shots were doing. Nowadays, we are more likely to wonder what ordinary men were doing, we are more likely to wonder what women were doing, and we are also more aware of environmental factors, etc etc. But the other reason for history changing isn't just the prevailing political culture, it is scientific. The technology available for historical research has changed. It has got better, and it is continuing to get better. Since the tools for research are getting better, it should (at least in theory, unless there are political pressures against this) be possible to write better histories. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stevie
Independentist
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Posts: 1179
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, but ye cannae beat a man breakin' Deboone's (spelling's wrong) neck with the axe-handle o' a lochaber while chargin' at him on a pony.
Actually, I wish I'd taken history as my speciality rather than science (or both actually would have been good) because I do get such a kick out of history especially the history of ordinary folks.
My next historical research will be on Napolean but I'm busy doing lesson plans at the moment.
The life of Robert Burns however can give one an interesting insight into the life of ordinary people, if anyone's reading I recommend a study of Burns' life and works.
Ye cannae whack 'em.
Oh incidentally, azzuri posted in 2006.
_________________
Every man dies, not every man really lives.
Alba gu brąth! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mairead
'Our Scotland' Fossil
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 4295
Location: Argyll, Alba
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Stevie,
I think it was an ordinary war axe as opposed to a Lochaber axe that split de Bohun skull. I could be wrong but that's how most books describe it.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Holebender
Ready For Afterlife!
Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 2752
Location: Here or There
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Also how it is depicted in the illustration on the cover of Tranter's book above. And the statue at bannockburn.
_________________
"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stevie
Independentist
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Posts: 1179
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Probably but I find the word Lochaber quite gutsy (especially since Lochaber posted that rather agreeable post Magrahi poll). However, the name of the street in stirling commemorates the axe I think. I'm off to do some research...
_________________
Every man dies, not every man really lives.
Alba gu brąth! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stevie
Independentist
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Posts: 1179
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I can only find battle axe, I'm sure Dave C can shed some light.
De bohun is actually remembered... Good King Robert did him a historical favour so to speak.
_________________
Every man dies, not every man really lives.
Alba gu brąth! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Holebender
Ready For Afterlife!
Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 2752
Location: Here or There
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
... and gave him a splitting headache.
_________________
"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dave Coull
Independentista
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2809
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Stevie wrote: | | I wish I'd taken history as my speciality rather than science (or both actually would have been good) |
Well I left school at 15 and most of my working life was as a bricklayer, but I was always very interested in both history and science, reading books about these as a hobby. When I finally went to university nearly forty years after leaving school, I studied both environmental science and history. After a couple of years of that I was forced to make a choice about my honours subject, and chose history, but really, I was enjoying both, and would happily have continued with both. | Stevie wrote: | | The life of Robert Burns however can give one an interesting insight into the life of ordinary people, if anyone's reading I recommend a study of Burns' life and works. |
I've got a couple of books about Burns. For my birthday this year, my stepson gave me "God, the Poet, and the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion", by Donald Smith. Interesting reading. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dave Coull
Independentista
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2809
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Stevie wrote: | | I can only find battle axe, I'm sure Dave C can shed some light. |
Sorry, the only battleaxe I know much about was called Maggie, and we defeated her over the poll tax. History is such a huge subject that there are gaps in the knowledge of even the most knowledgeable of historians, and this is one of the many gaps in mine. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stevie
Independentist
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Posts: 1179
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Dave Coull wrote: | | "God, the Poet, and the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion", by Donald Smith. Interesting reading. |
I've read a number of Burns' bios but I'll have a gander.
_________________
Every man dies, not every man really lives.
Alba gu brąth! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Join! (free) 
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
