Douglas book > Angus memoirs

G12 CASTLES AND MANSIONS.
(Archibald the Grim) himself. It is one of the old closet kind of beds to be seen yet in
some remote farm houses in Galloway. The back and ends are of wood, and it seems
to have had sliding doors in front, but they are gone. The parts that remain are entirely
covered with carved figures of men and beasts, so rudely executed, as to bespeak its high
antiquity. Busts of the various Earls of the family in their robes and coronets are
placed in the foreground, and surmounted by troopers caparisoned agreeable to the Act
of James i., Parliament 9, cap. 122 [with acton, basnet and gloves, spear and sword].
" The infantry are evidently equipped in strict accordance with the Act James it.,
Parliament 6, cap. 87, 1 [a good spear or a good bow with a sheaf (24) of arrows]. . .
The dragoons are mounted on weasel-like chargers, each man in full panoply, and
all performing different evolutions, — one is in the act of shouldering his spear,
another drawing his claymore, and a third cutting down the enemy. The first foot
soldier bears the handsengie (standard), to which is attached a forked streamer with a
St. Andrew's Cross. The national banner is supported by a sturdy billman, — next
comes an archer with his bow bent, and carrying in his belt his schaife of arrows — and
their various Sant-men and Gillies. The piper is a conspicuous person in this motley
group by the size of his cheeks, which appear extended to an extraordinary size, by
pressing wind into his instrument. He is accompanied by a Paganini-like personage
playing on a one-stringed fiddle. The drummer, too, is a person of distinction — he is
represented as on a march, his drum being unbraced and slung over his shoulder by a
belt ; but a variety of sword and morris dancers seem more actively employed, being
represented in all the zany buffoon attitudes of such performers." The writer con-
eludes : " Although this ancient bed cannot be, with any degree of certainty, traced back
for a longer period than 386 years, its rude workmanship is indicative of higher
antiquity. The figures are as rudely executed as the effigies on the coin of Alexander
in., but the framework carving by which they are surrounded, and the ornamental
panels below, are done in better taste and with more regularity." 2
1 The quotations given have not been [Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. i.
found in the Acts of Parliament at the dates p, 473 ; vol. ii. pp. 10, 226.]
indicated, but the description of the arms
of horse and foot corresponds word for word 2 Communicated by Mr. Joseph Train of
with the provisions of an Act of King Kobert Castle Douglas, in whose possession the bed
Bruce in 1318. Similar, but not identical was, to the Statistical Account of the parish
Acts were passed in the reigns of King James of Balmaghie. Statistical Account of Kirk-
i. in 1425, and of King James iv. in 1491. eudbrightshire, pp. 1S3, 1S4, note.