Re: Fairley-Edinburgh, Scotland--story of 3 merchants
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In reply to:
Re: Fairley-Edinburgh, Scotland--story of 3 merchants
D Fairley 10/06/04
I found this if you all are interested.
Sir John de Stirling, however, skilful commander as he was, had still more skilful opponents, for
at this time Sir Alexander Ramsay of Dalhousie, whose ruined castle still stands above the
waters of the South Esk at Cockpen, had gathered together a band of homeless patriots, among
whom, perhaps, were the young De Lestalric, and the lords of Duddingston, Craigmillar,
Liberton, Braid, Dean, Inverleith, and Pilton—all forfeited and outlawed at this time for their
resistance to English aggression. They had their fastness within the ancient caves among the
cliffs at Hawthornden, near Roslin. From these, at unexpected times, they would pounce down
upon the soldiers of Sir John Stirling as they convoyed supplies between Leith and Edinburgh for
the Castle garrison. Sir Alexander Ramsay was one of the most distinguished warriors of that
time, and he and his outlawed troop were worthy successors of those who had won
Bannockburn. They were the heroes of many daring deeds. With such men as these on the
patriotic side, and such women as "Black Agnes" to inspire them with courage, the English and
Baliol soon lost their hold in Scotland when their garrisons were driven out of Edinburgh and
Leith.
In April 1341 Edinburgh Castle was captured by a clever stratagem planned by Bulloch (who had
been won over to the Scots side), Sir William Douglas the Black Knight of Liddesdale, and other
heroes, aided by three Edinburgh merchant burgesses, William Fairley, Walter Curry, and
William Bartholomew. A merchant ship belonging to Walter Curry was freighted from Dundee
with a cargo of provisions for Leith. At Dundee they privately received aboard their ship
Douglas, Bulloch, and some two hundred other bold and daring spirits, and, under pretence of
being English merchantmen—they had shaved their beards in the Anglo-Norman
manner—anchored off Leith. They then offered for sale to the English commander of Edinburgh
Castle their cargo of "biscuit, wine, and strong beer all excellently spiced," and were told to
bring it to the Castle at an early hour in the morning, "lest they should be intercepted by
Dalhousie and other Scottish knaves."
Early next morning the laden wagons set out from the Shore under the care of armed men
disguised as sailors, and eventually reached the Castle. The gates were at once opened, and at the
entrance the wagons were so halted that it was impossible either to close them or to let down the
portcullis.
A shrill blast from a bugle-horn brought Douglas and his friends, who were lurking in the
neighbourhood. After a desperate conflict the garrison was overpowered. In this way Leith and
Edinburgh were freed from English rule until the days of Cromwell. The descendants of William
Fairley long held the estates of Braid and Bruntsfield, but now live in Ayrshire. The merchant
booths of Fairley, Curry, and William Bartholomew were the last three on the south side of the
High Street, just before coming to St. Giles’ Church. Walter Curry’s, the last of the three, stood
exactly where the City Cross stands now. How many Leith and Edinburgh people who pass this
spot to-day know aught of these three merchants who had their booths here, and who on that
early morning some six hundred years ago played so heroic a part in their country’s story?
The full story is at the web address......
http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/minibios/c/clark_robert.htmhttp://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/minibios/c/clark_robert.htm
More Replies:
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Re: Fairley-Edinburgh, Scotland--story of 3 merchants
Betty Saunders 3/20/07
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Re: Fairley-Edinburgh, Scotland--story of 3 merchants
D Fairley 10/26/04