Broadside entitled 'A Balsom for Backsliders Or Some Hints Anent the Oath of Abjuration'

Commentary

This broadside begins: 'Although the News be spread of late / Throughout our Scottish Nation; / That we e're long shall be Defeat, / By Papists their lnvasion'.

The Oath of Abjuration, referred to in the title, was originally enforced by King William III (William of Orange) during a time of much religious and political struggle. It was introduced as part of the Security of Succession Act of 1702, and required the taker of the oath to renounce their allegiance to the Stuarts and the Church of Rome. Initially intended for those in public office, in many places it was required of most of the adult male population. This broadside is written from the Protestant perspective and, as such, welcomes the instigation of the oath.

Broadsides are single sheets of paper, printed on one side, to be read unfolded. They carried public information such as proclamations as well as ballads and news of the day. Cheaply available, they were sold on the streets by pedlars and chapmen. Broadsides offer a valuable insight into many aspects of the society they were published in, and the National Library of Scotland holds over 250,000 of them.

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