Series 1 > Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650
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140 CHARLES II. AND SCOTLAND IN 1650
Oct? 15
The poorer sort live in low thatcht cottages, without any
goods or houshold stuffe considerable, full of nothing but
smoke, and unwholesome and noysome smels, in many places
their families and cattel lie under one roofe. They must have
but one chimney, and that so large, that an iron grate for the
burning of coles being set in the middle, the whole family,
husband, wife, bernes, and servants may sit round it. They
pay no rents to their land-lairds in money, but are at all the
charge of plowing, sowing, and reaping, and then he hath the
third part of the whole increase in come or graine. They will
give them no leases of their houses or lands, but they are all
tenants at wil and are often turned out of all to shift for them¬
selves, if the Laird like them not. The men generally weare
blew bonnets, and the women party-coloured plades which hang
down to their heels. The poorer sort were all their Garments
of white flanel with a short waste, ill shaped.
Thus you have had a briefe view of the country, and the
condition of the people, and something of particular persons
towards the English army during our stay with them. For the
proceedings of the Scottish army and ours too, you have had
them, and still have them related in the Weekly Diurnall.1
LXXXVII
THE DEAN OF TUAM TO THE MARQUIS OF ORMOND2
My Lord,—I was commanded by his Majestic to receive
from Secretary Long the relation of the force put upon his
Majesty in the breach of the peace made by your Lordship
with the Irish. That in case I could not with safety bring the
larger dispatches unto your Lordship; I should secure his
Majesties lettre of credence unto your Lordship, and report
unto your Lordship what the Secretary in that should deliver
unto mee. Accordingly, I left his Majesties Court (St. John-
1 The remainder of the letter contains a sketch of the military events up to the
battle of Dunbar.
2 Carte mss. vol. xxviii. fob 567.
Oct? 15
The poorer sort live in low thatcht cottages, without any
goods or houshold stuffe considerable, full of nothing but
smoke, and unwholesome and noysome smels, in many places
their families and cattel lie under one roofe. They must have
but one chimney, and that so large, that an iron grate for the
burning of coles being set in the middle, the whole family,
husband, wife, bernes, and servants may sit round it. They
pay no rents to their land-lairds in money, but are at all the
charge of plowing, sowing, and reaping, and then he hath the
third part of the whole increase in come or graine. They will
give them no leases of their houses or lands, but they are all
tenants at wil and are often turned out of all to shift for them¬
selves, if the Laird like them not. The men generally weare
blew bonnets, and the women party-coloured plades which hang
down to their heels. The poorer sort were all their Garments
of white flanel with a short waste, ill shaped.
Thus you have had a briefe view of the country, and the
condition of the people, and something of particular persons
towards the English army during our stay with them. For the
proceedings of the Scottish army and ours too, you have had
them, and still have them related in the Weekly Diurnall.1
LXXXVII
THE DEAN OF TUAM TO THE MARQUIS OF ORMOND2
My Lord,—I was commanded by his Majestic to receive
from Secretary Long the relation of the force put upon his
Majesty in the breach of the peace made by your Lordship
with the Irish. That in case I could not with safety bring the
larger dispatches unto your Lordship; I should secure his
Majesties lettre of credence unto your Lordship, and report
unto your Lordship what the Secretary in that should deliver
unto mee. Accordingly, I left his Majesties Court (St. John-
1 The remainder of the letter contains a sketch of the military events up to the
battle of Dunbar.
2 Carte mss. vol. xxviii. fob 567.
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| Scottish History Society volumes > Series 1 > Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650 > (171) Page 140 |
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| Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/127072545 |
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| Description | Edited, with notes and introduction, by Samuel Rawson Gardiner. Spine title: Charles II and Scotland in 1650. 16 pages immediately following text contain List of members of the Scottish History Society, July 1894. Last 16 pages contain Report of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Scottish History Society. |
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| Shelfmark | SCS.SHS.17 |
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| Description | Over 180 volumes, published by the Scottish History Society, containing original sources on Scotland's history and people. With a wide range of subjects, the books collectively cover all periods from the 12th to 20th centuries, and reflect changing trends in Scottish history. Sources are accompanied by scholarly interpretation, references and bibliographies. Volumes are usually published annually, and more digitised volumes will be added as they become available. |
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