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Dundee - 'The Prospect of ye Town of Dundee from ye East'
This is the second of Slezer's Dundee prospects, looking at the town from the east. St Mary's Church tower is clearly visible towards the far end of the town, and the shipping in and around the harbour indicates the busyness of the Tayside port.
One of the most fascinating details in any of the Slezer views is the group of women in the foreground washing cloth. The custom at the time was for women to 'trample' the washing in large tubs, and you can see three of the figures doing this. Another woman is beating the cloth.
Image from Theatrum Scotiae by John Slezer, 1693.
To the Right Honourable Patrick Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorn, Viscount of Tannadice, Lord Lion and Glammis, &c.
A Town in the Shire of Angus, so called from Dun, which in our old Language signifies a Hill, and Tay the Name of a River, it being situated at the Foot of a Hill on the North side of the River Tay, not far from its Entry into the Ocean.
It stands on a most pleasant Plain, and is adorned with excellent Buildings of all sorts. It hath two Churches, a high Steeple, a Harbour for Ships of Burthen, and a considerable Traffick with Strangers, whence the Inhabitants are generally rich, and those who fall into Decay have a large Hospital provided for them.
Of old this Town gave the Title of Earl, and Dignity of Constable to the Chief of the Scrimgers, but of late it gave the Title of Viscount to the Lord Dundee; who was killed by their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary's Forces, at the Battle of Gillicrankie.
