Women of Moray ed by Susan Bennett et al sampler
Discover Flaming Janet, James IV's mistress; Elsie Watson who rode solo across South Africa on a motorcycle in 1912; the Queen's nurse in Foula dn Fair Isle in the 1920s; the spymaster of Albanian agents during the Second World War; the Traveller born in the bow-tent and more. This book captures the tales of over 70 women whose lives have made an impact on history both in Scotland and abroad. It sheds light on their misfortunes, prjudice and abuse, and shows how these challenges have been overcome. Women of Moray is a unique glimpse into the history of the region, looking at women marginalised, forgotten and usually uncelebrated across the centuries. For the historian, the genealogist and the general reader, this is a book that will deepen your understanding of history.
Discover Flaming Janet, James IV's mistress; Elsie Watson who rode solo across South Africa on a motorcycle in 1912; the Queen's nurse in Foula dn Fair Isle in the 1920s; the spymaster of Albanian agents during the Second World War; the Traveller born in the bow-tent and more.
This book captures the tales of over 70 women whose lives have made an impact on history both in Scotland and abroad. It sheds light on their misfortunes, prjudice and abuse, and shows how these challenges have been overcome.
Women of Moray is a unique glimpse into the history of the region, looking at women marginalised, forgotten and usually uncelebrated across the centuries. For the historian, the genealogist and the general reader, this is a book that will deepen your understanding of history.
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
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an ongoing project to encourage people in <strong>Moray</strong> to tell more stories about<br />
women connect<strong>ed</strong> with the area has grown up around the publication <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Women</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>. Schools, organisations and individu<strong>al</strong>s across <strong>Moray</strong> are<br />
beginning to find out their own stories <strong>of</strong> women’s history. These stories will<br />
be told through conferences, exhibitions, drama events, bookl<strong>et</strong>s and on the<br />
website www.women<strong>of</strong>moray.org.uk. All roy<strong>al</strong>ties from the s<strong>al</strong>e <strong>of</strong> this book<br />
go to <strong>Moray</strong> <strong>Women</strong>’s Aid.<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
2
<strong>Women</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong><br />
Editors<br />
<strong>Susan</strong> <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong>, Mary Byatt, Jenny Main, Anne Oliver, Jan<strong>et</strong> Tryth<strong>al</strong>l<br />
With contributions <strong>by</strong> the <strong>ed</strong>itors and<br />
Richard <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong>, Jan<strong>et</strong> Carolan, Lorna Glendinning, Sheila McColl,<br />
William (Bill) Smith and Eleanor Thom.<br />
3
The <strong>Women</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> project is being part-financ<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> the Scottish Government and<br />
the European Community <strong>Moray</strong> Leader 2007–2013 programme; sponsorship has<br />
<strong>al</strong>so been receiv<strong>ed</strong> from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation.<br />
First publish<strong>ed</strong> 2012<br />
Reprint<strong>ed</strong> 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023<br />
isbn: 978-1-908373-16-8<br />
The paper us<strong>ed</strong> in this book is recyclable. It is made from low chlorine pulps<br />
produc<strong>ed</strong> in a low energy, low emission manner from renewable forests.<br />
The authors’ right to be identifi<strong>ed</strong> as author <strong>of</strong> this book under the Copyright,<br />
Designs and Patents Act 1988 has been assert<strong>ed</strong>.<br />
Print<strong>ed</strong> and bound <strong>by</strong><br />
Robertson Printers, Forfar<br />
Types<strong>et</strong> in 10.5 point Sabon<br />
Map © Jim Lewis<br />
© the contributors
To <strong>al</strong>l the women <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> – past, present and future<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
6
Contents<br />
Map <strong>of</strong> Modern <strong>Moray</strong> 6<br />
Acknowl<strong>ed</strong>gements 11<br />
Introduction 13<br />
Editors’ Note 17<br />
chapter 1 m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> women 19<br />
Gruoch (Lady Macb<strong>et</strong>h) (mid 11th century) 22<br />
Euphemia <strong>of</strong> Duffus (1210–post 1263) 25<br />
Agnes Randolph (d c.1368) 26<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Dunbar (1425–1495) 28<br />
Jan<strong>et</strong> Kenn<strong>ed</strong>y (1480–1547) 30<br />
Agnes (Annas) Keith (1540–1588) 33<br />
chapter 2 power and persecution 38<br />
Isobel Gowdie (mid 17th century) 43<br />
Mary Ker (1640–1708) 46<br />
chapter 3 women <strong>of</strong> the enlightenment 50<br />
Mary Sleigh (1704–1760) 52<br />
Jane Maxwell (1749–1812) 58<br />
chapter 4 following the drum 64<br />
Marjory Anderson (d 1790) 67<br />
Isabel Mackenzie (1731–post 1780) 69<br />
Margar<strong>et</strong> Dawson (1770–1829) 71<br />
Barbara Simpkin (1913–1995) 74<br />
chapter 5 escaping poverty 78<br />
Annie Ramsay (1843–1910) 82<br />
Margar<strong>et</strong> Stephen (c.1847–1924) 87<br />
Helen Leslie Mackenzie (1859–1945) 92<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
Helen Rose (1857–1922) 96<br />
Ella Munro (1873–1945) 99<br />
chapter 6 <strong>ed</strong>ucation and politics: finding a voice 105<br />
Lavinia M<strong>al</strong>colm (c.1847–1920) 109<br />
Isabella Mitchell (1851–1931) 114<br />
Alice Ker (1853–1943) 115<br />
Ethel B<strong>ed</strong>ford Fenwick (1858–1947) 119<br />
Nora Mackay (1872–1952) 124<br />
Nannie Katharin Wells (1875–1945) 128<br />
Johanna Forbes (1879–1957) 131<br />
Griselda Dow (1891–1936) 137<br />
Beatrice Sellar (1898–1985) 141<br />
Isobel (Sybil) Duncan (1910–1986) 145<br />
chapter 7 two world wars 147<br />
Amelia Culbard (1860–1942)<br />
and Christina Culbard (1869–1947) 151<br />
Isabella (Gugu) Grant (1875–1921) 153<br />
Annabella R<strong>al</strong>ph (1884–1962) 158<br />
Tib<strong>by</strong> Gordon (1885–1970) 160<br />
Clara Main (1886–1975) 165<br />
Olga Byatt (1891–1943) 169<br />
Helen Cattanach (1920–1994) 176<br />
chapter 8 across the world 179<br />
Georgiana McCrae (1804–1890) 180<br />
Penuel Hossack (1821–1921)<br />
and Helen Findlay (1829–1879) 186<br />
Eka Gordon Cumming (1837–1924) 190<br />
Margar<strong>et</strong> Chrystie (1860–1941)<br />
and Jean Chrystie (1874–1957) 196<br />
8
Elsie Watson (1870–1945) 198<br />
Isabella Kerr (1875–1932) 202<br />
Margar<strong>et</strong> Hasluck (1885–1948) 206<br />
Sylvia Benton (1887–1985) 212<br />
Anne Hardie (1888–1974) 217<br />
Elma Napier (1892–1973) 220<br />
chapter 9 running a business 225<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Cumming (1827–1894) 226<br />
Ethel Baxter (1883–1963) 229<br />
Isobel Brown (1900–1985) 233<br />
chapter 10 breaking into science 238<br />
Eliza Gordon Cumming (c.1799–1842) 240<br />
Grace Milne (1832–1899) 245<br />
Anna Buchan (1897–1964) 249<br />
Isabella Gordon (1901–1988) 253<br />
Mary McC<strong>al</strong>lum Webster (1906–1985) 259<br />
Lesley Souter (1917–1981) 263<br />
chapter 11 the creative life 267<br />
Sophia Dunbar (1814–1909) 269<br />
Mary S<strong>et</strong>on Watts (1849–1939) 274<br />
Mary Symon (1863–1938) 278<br />
Emma Black (c.1870–1945) 284<br />
Isabel Cameron (1873–1957) 286<br />
Dorothy Brown (1886–1964) 288<br />
Margar<strong>et</strong> Winefride Simpson (1893–1972) 291<br />
Kim Murray (1902–1985) 292<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Macpherson (1906–1998) 294<br />
John Aubrey (1909–1985) 297<br />
Veronica Bruce (1911–2000) 301<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
Jessie Kesson (1916–1994) 303<br />
chapter 12 sporting success 310<br />
Margar<strong>et</strong> (Meg) Farquhar (1910–1988) 313<br />
chapter 13 tradition and memory 316<br />
Christina Munro (dates unknown) 318<br />
Jean Carr (or Kerr) (c.1770–1830) 320<br />
Lucky Jonson (mid 19th century) 321<br />
Jeannie Shaw (mid 19th century) 322<br />
Jan<strong>et</strong> Levack (1842–1927) 323<br />
Jessie Pozzi (1856–1943) 325<br />
Christina Macdon<strong>al</strong>d (Joyful) (c.1857–1927) 327<br />
B<strong>et</strong>sy Whyte (1879–1971) 327<br />
Joanne McCulloch (c.1890–1960) 330<br />
Ida McPherson (1910–1998) 331<br />
appendices<br />
‘The Glen’s Muster Roll’ <strong>by</strong> Mary Symon 337<br />
Three Stories <strong>by</strong> Jan<strong>et</strong> Levack 341<br />
Lossiemouth Fisher W<strong>ed</strong>ding Guests 342<br />
Books Useful for Gener<strong>al</strong> Background 343<br />
Notes on Contributors 345<br />
Chapter Notes and Main Sources 347<br />
Index <strong>of</strong> <strong>Women</strong>’s Names 371<br />
Index <strong>of</strong> Places in North-East Scotland 377<br />
10
Acknowl<strong>ed</strong>gements<br />
The <strong>ed</strong>itors have many people to thank: Richard <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong> for the initi<strong>al</strong> idea,<br />
for his contributions, and for continuing support; Jan<strong>et</strong> Carolan, Lorna<br />
Glendinning, the late Sheila McColl, William (Bill) Smith and Eleanor Thom<br />
for writing articles about the women <strong>of</strong> whom we had little knowl<strong>ed</strong>ge; <strong>al</strong>l the<br />
relatives <strong>of</strong> the women featur<strong>ed</strong>, who gave so freely <strong>of</strong> their information and<br />
photographs and whom we were so pleas<strong>ed</strong> to me<strong>et</strong> or contact; Dr Alison<br />
Lumsden <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Aberdeen, who read our script and gave advice<br />
and encouragement; the <strong>Moray</strong> Soci<strong>et</strong>y, Heather Townsend, Museum Assistant<br />
and volunteers at Elgin Museum; Alistair Campbell, Libraries and Museums<br />
manager, <strong>Moray</strong> Council, for support; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lynn Abrams, Rose Pipes, Dr<br />
Karly Kehoe and other members <strong>of</strong> <strong>Women</strong>’s History Scotland, for support;<br />
Councillor Pearl Paul and the Rothes group who support<strong>ed</strong> the <strong>Women</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Moray</strong> Project; and Graeme Wilson and Sharon Slater, forever obliging, at the<br />
Loc<strong>al</strong> Heritage Centre for <strong>Moray</strong>.<br />
Thanks <strong>al</strong>so to <strong>al</strong>l the libraries, museums and other organisations where staff<br />
were helpful with our research: Phil Astley, Ruaraidh Wishart, Carol Innes and<br />
staff at Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives; Aberdeen University<br />
Library; Neil Curtis <strong>of</strong> Marisch<strong>al</strong> Museum <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Aberdeen; Sir<br />
John Boardman and Dr Donna Kurtz <strong>of</strong> the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford;<br />
Buckie Heritage Centre; Charlie Finlayson and Mhairi Ross <strong>of</strong> Brodie Castle;<br />
Cardhu Distillery; Brian Stanley at the Centre for the Study <strong>of</strong> World<br />
Christianity, University <strong>of</strong> Edinburgh; Christie’s, Scotland; Liz Trev<strong>et</strong>hick and<br />
staff <strong>of</strong> F<strong>al</strong>coner Museum, Forres; Fochabers Heritage Centre; Ann Sinclair<br />
and other islanders <strong>of</strong> the George Waterston Memori<strong>al</strong> Centre, Fair Isle; Kate<br />
Perry at Girton College, Cambridge; Eleanor Rowe archivist at <strong>Moray</strong> Council;<br />
the Trustees <strong>of</strong> the Nation<strong>al</strong> Library <strong>of</strong> Scotland, S<strong>al</strong>ly Harrower, Alison<br />
M<strong>et</strong>c<strong>al</strong>fe and staff at the Nation<strong>al</strong> Library <strong>of</strong> Scotland; Chant<strong>al</strong> Knowles at<br />
Nation<strong>al</strong> Museums Scotland; Ian Riches at the Nation<strong>al</strong> Trust for Scotland;<br />
John Hatton, Juli<strong>et</strong> McConnell and the staff <strong>of</strong> the Natur<strong>al</strong> History Museum,<br />
London; The Northern Scot for <strong>al</strong>lowing us to use photographs from its<br />
Christmas Numbers; Deb<strong>by</strong> Cramer and the Pres<strong>by</strong>terian Ladies’ College,<br />
Sydney; Fiona Bourne, queen’s nurse archivist, Roy<strong>al</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Nursing,<br />
Edinburgh; Steven Kerr, assistant librarian, Roy<strong>al</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Surgeons,<br />
Edinburgh; School <strong>of</strong> Orient<strong>al</strong> and African Studies, London; Lis Smith <strong>of</strong> the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> St Andrews; the State Library <strong>of</strong> Victoria, Austr<strong>al</strong>ia; the Vintage<br />
Motor Cycle Club; Catherine Hilary at the Watts G<strong>al</strong>lery, Compton; the<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
<strong>Women</strong>’s Library, London, with speci<strong>al</strong> thanks to the staff who took care <strong>of</strong><br />
one <strong>of</strong> the team who became ill when visiting the library. We are <strong>al</strong>so grateful<br />
to Gavin MacDoug<strong>al</strong>l and Kirsten Graham at Luath Press and to our <strong>ed</strong>itor,<br />
Jennie Renton. Working with them has been a pleasure.<br />
Conversations with many people have shap<strong>ed</strong> this book and we thank them<br />
<strong>al</strong>l, especi<strong>al</strong>ly: Doreen Aldridge; the late Daphne Agar; Gordon Baxter; Irene<br />
Beanland; Eleanor Bodger; Dr Sandy Buchan; Hugh, Robin and David Byatt;<br />
Dr John C<strong>al</strong>dwell; Diana Chadwick; Joanne Collie; Dr Rod Ewins; P<strong>et</strong>er<br />
Dawson; Vicky Dawson; Sheila Dick; the late Alexander Dunbar; Sir Archib<strong>al</strong>d<br />
Dunbar; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith; Margar<strong>et</strong> Elphinstone;<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Fitzgibbon; Ann Gollan; Jane Gordon-Cumming; Kay Griffin; Penny<br />
Hartley; Patricia Honychurch; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Theo Hoppen; Rona Hossack;<br />
Gener<strong>al</strong> Sir Alistair and Lady Irwin; Jim Inglis; Andrew Johnson; the late Ian<br />
Keillar; Marcelle Kenn<strong>ed</strong>y; Iona Kielhorn; Sandy MacAdam; the late Dr John<br />
Macdon<strong>al</strong>d; the late Dr John McConachie; Ron<strong>al</strong>d J Macgregor; Samuel<br />
McKibben and other members <strong>of</strong> the Apostolic Church; Jean McLatchey; Dr<br />
Catherine Macleod; Bob<strong>by</strong> Macpherson; David McWilliam; David Marsh<strong>al</strong>l;<br />
the twenti<strong>et</strong>h and twenty-first Earls <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Isobel Murray; Lorna<br />
Murray; Margar<strong>et</strong> Murray; John Mustard; William Mustard; Michael and<br />
Jos<strong>et</strong>te Napier; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Richard Oram; Polly Patullo; P<strong>et</strong>er Rennie; Hugh<br />
Roberston; Carol and Ian Robertson; Kris Sangster; Jennifer Shaw; the late Ian<br />
Shepherd; Alexandra Shepherd; Karolyn Shindler; Stella Sievwright; Alexander<br />
Simpkin; Michael Simpkin; William and Sara Sleigh; Sheila Stewart; Jean<br />
Stocks; Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Sutherland; Ian Suttie; Dr Mike A Taylor; Barbara Templ<strong>et</strong>on;<br />
Farquhar Thompson; Mary Thorogood; Phyllis Titt; Clair Tombe; Marjorie<br />
Whytock; Derek Wood; Margar<strong>et</strong> Woodward; Bridg<strong>et</strong> Whyte; Jane Yeadon;<br />
and Lesley Young.<br />
The we<strong>al</strong>th <strong>of</strong> images in this book has been made possible <strong>by</strong> financi<strong>al</strong> support<br />
from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, while the scope <strong>of</strong> its outreach<br />
has been enhanc<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> funding from Leader.<br />
Every effort has been made to ascertain and acknowl<strong>ed</strong>ge copyright <strong>of</strong> the<br />
images us<strong>ed</strong> in <strong>Women</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>.<br />
12
Introduction<br />
The women who have been involv<strong>ed</strong> in writing and <strong>ed</strong>iting this book were<br />
born mostly during, or just after, the Second World War. We were rais<strong>ed</strong> at<br />
a time when, in comparison with our mothers, many more opportunities<br />
– in <strong>ed</strong>ucation, employment, travel – were open to us, whatever our<br />
background. The twenti<strong>et</strong>h century was a time <strong>of</strong> growing emancipation<br />
for women: the vote was achiev<strong>ed</strong>; improv<strong>ed</strong> <strong>ed</strong>ucation and the introduction<br />
<strong>of</strong> antibiotics r<strong>ed</strong>uc<strong>ed</strong> infant mort<strong>al</strong>ity; contraception took away the<br />
draining effect <strong>of</strong> repeat<strong>ed</strong> pregnancies, and, <strong>by</strong> the 1960s, the British<br />
economy was thriving. People were full <strong>of</strong> optimism for the future, and<br />
young women were making exciting choices about their lives. The passage<br />
<strong>of</strong> time has brought us to different places than those envisag<strong>ed</strong> in our<br />
youth, but we recognise our good fortune and find satisfaction in r<strong>et</strong>irement<br />
– a time that <strong>of</strong>fers new interests and further opportunities.<br />
In uncovering the stories <strong>of</strong> women’s lives, we have seen misfortune,<br />
prejudice and abuse; we have seen opportunities grasp<strong>ed</strong> and ch<strong>al</strong>lenges<br />
m<strong>et</strong>; above <strong>al</strong>l we have seen the changing attitudes to women over the<br />
centuries. History has tend<strong>ed</strong> to tell stories <strong>of</strong> battles and wars, and <strong>of</strong> the<br />
achievements <strong>of</strong> great men; it was usu<strong>al</strong>ly the men who wrote the records.<br />
Few women, other than the rich, left records from earlier times. The<br />
women we have chosen reflect, in some ways, women’s situations, not only<br />
in the North-East <strong>of</strong> Scotland, but across the world.<br />
<strong>Moray</strong> is both highland and lowland. Its modern borders str<strong>et</strong>ch from<br />
the middle <strong>of</strong> the Cairngorm massif in the south to the Laigh <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>, a<br />
fertile area that borders the <strong>Moray</strong> Firth, in the north. Westwards it takes<br />
in the lower reaches <strong>of</strong> the Findhorn and the remote Dava Moor; eastwards<br />
it encompasses much <strong>of</strong> the old Banffshire; it looks both west to Inverness<br />
and east to Aberdeen. In m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> times the Province <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> was much<br />
larger. It was a place where kings and queens came to feast in the castles<br />
and to hunt in the great deer forests. The main town <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> is Elgin. A<br />
roy<strong>al</strong> burgh from the twelfth century, Elgin was origin<strong>al</strong>ly prosperous<br />
because <strong>of</strong> the grain grown in the Laigh, the anim<strong>al</strong>s hunt<strong>ed</strong> for their hides<br />
in the upland forests, and the s<strong>al</strong>mon caught in the rivers Spey, Findhorn<br />
and Lossie. Today the barley grown in the Laigh provides the grain for the<br />
many distilleries that give <strong>Moray</strong> its tagline ‘M<strong>al</strong>t Whisky Country’.<br />
We want<strong>ed</strong> to find out stories about the women who had liv<strong>ed</strong> in <strong>Moray</strong><br />
from early to modern times. It is about eighty years since Robert Douglas<br />
wrote The Sons <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> and it is long past time for a complementary<br />
‘Daughters <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>’. 1 Not <strong>al</strong>l our women were born in <strong>Moray</strong>, but they<br />
13
women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
did connect with <strong>Moray</strong> in some way for some time in their lives.<br />
Finding the women was easy. We start<strong>ed</strong> with our own lists which grew<br />
rapidly as others learnt about the project. Somebody’s friend’s late<br />
husband’s grandmother was add<strong>ed</strong> to the list; a chance me<strong>et</strong>ing on a train<br />
in England introduc<strong>ed</strong> us to Elsie Watson; someone else had great<br />
photographs; surprisingly, some <strong>of</strong> our own relatives were relevant.<br />
Libindx has been inv<strong>al</strong>uable in leading us to obituaries and other<br />
information. This database, develop<strong>ed</strong> over many years <strong>by</strong> the Loc<strong>al</strong><br />
Heritage Centre, is now online and <strong>al</strong>ways a first port <strong>of</strong> c<strong>al</strong>l for <strong>Moray</strong><br />
researchers. Eventu<strong>al</strong>ly we had more than enough candidates and trying to<br />
fit everyone in became a problem. There were latecomers too: Annie<br />
Maude Sellar, granddaughter <strong>of</strong> the infamous Patrick Sellar, caus<strong>ed</strong><br />
excitement. She became Vice-Princip<strong>al</strong> <strong>of</strong> Lady Margar<strong>et</strong> H<strong>al</strong>l, Oxford.<br />
But her brush with <strong>Moray</strong> was only for a year or two. 2 Inevitably, some<br />
women had to go; doubtless, there are many others whom we never<br />
happen<strong>ed</strong> upon.<br />
If finding the women was relatively easy, going a little deeper into their<br />
histories was not. There were new subjects to learn about: the history <strong>of</strong><br />
China, <strong>of</strong> Albania, <strong>of</strong> Dominica, <strong>of</strong> Fair Isle; the battle <strong>of</strong> Copenhagen, the<br />
<strong>Women</strong>’s Hospit<strong>al</strong> Service, the feuing <strong>of</strong> Tomintoul, the <strong>Women</strong>’s Rur<strong>al</strong><br />
Institute, amongst others. Som<strong>et</strong>imes the research involv<strong>ed</strong> travel to<br />
archives and locations – Dominica even being visit<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the team.<br />
<strong>Women</strong>’s history is rarely record<strong>ed</strong> and some research went nowhere. Who<br />
was Mona Milne, an aero engine designer? A brief biography in the<br />
Banffshire Advertiser is the only reference we could find. 3<br />
Distinguishing b<strong>et</strong>ween the work <strong>of</strong> wife and husband has <strong>al</strong>so been a<br />
problem: Georgiana MacCrae travell<strong>ed</strong> with her husband to Austr<strong>al</strong>ia, but<br />
made her mark in the 1850s and 1860s when they were separat<strong>ed</strong>. She had<br />
been much inhibit<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> her husband. On the other hand, Margar<strong>et</strong><br />
Hasluck, herself a scholar, made her first trip to the B<strong>al</strong>kans with her<br />
husband and benefit<strong>ed</strong> from his scholarship. Later as a widow she pursu<strong>ed</strong><br />
her own researches. Elma Napier, a member <strong>of</strong> the intrepid Gordon<br />
Cumming family, was in Dominica because <strong>of</strong> her second husband’s he<strong>al</strong>th.<br />
Isabella Kerr, c<strong>al</strong>l<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> God, travell<strong>ed</strong> with her husband to India. Couples<br />
such as Johanna and Forbes Tocher, and Helen and Leslie MacKenzie<br />
work<strong>ed</strong> tog<strong>et</strong>her as a team, each bringing different strengths to the<br />
partnership – the wives <strong>of</strong>ten disregard<strong>ed</strong> in newspaper reports and <strong>of</strong>fici<strong>al</strong><br />
records.<br />
There is much helpful or<strong>al</strong> history about the more recent women, given<br />
<strong>by</strong> friends and acquaintances, but such reminiscences are <strong>of</strong>ten about the<br />
later years <strong>of</strong> a woman’s life. Sylvia Benton is remember<strong>ed</strong> in <strong>Moray</strong> as<br />
14
introduction<br />
Miss Benton, an old woman <strong>of</strong> spirit; similarly, in Botriphnie, Johanna<br />
Forbes was Mrs Tocher, the minister’s wife, a good woman, an old woman.<br />
Probably few <strong>of</strong> the people who m<strong>et</strong> these women in their old age knew<br />
much about their earlier adventures.<br />
The chapters <strong>of</strong> the book are loosely chronologic<strong>al</strong>. A glance at the<br />
themes chosen may suggest imb<strong>al</strong>ance; there are ten women in Education<br />
and Politics (Chapter Six), but only one in Sporting Success (Chapter<br />
Twelve). But that is how it was. The time around the turn <strong>of</strong> the nin<strong>et</strong>eenth<br />
century was particularly productive <strong>of</strong> women with interesting stories;<br />
sportswomen <strong>of</strong> note were few and far b<strong>et</strong>ween. Similarly, there is<br />
disproportionate comment on Austr<strong>al</strong>ia, and nothing <strong>of</strong> the American<br />
west, <strong>al</strong>though there are bound to be stories that we miss<strong>ed</strong>. Some <strong>of</strong> those<br />
women that we miss<strong>ed</strong> or did not have room for will, we hope, appear in<br />
the legacy <strong>of</strong> the project that has grown up around the book.<br />
The women whose lives we have record<strong>ed</strong> here do not fit into a seamless<br />
story <strong>of</strong> emancipation; there is no such story because the history <strong>of</strong> women’s<br />
rights is complex and open to many interpr<strong>et</strong>ations. But the lives <strong>of</strong> the<br />
women we have chosen do tell, in some ways, <strong>of</strong> a woman’s place in the<br />
world they inhabit<strong>ed</strong>, <strong>of</strong> how the world chang<strong>ed</strong> through the centuries<br />
and, in many cases, <strong>of</strong> how they help<strong>ed</strong> to change it.<br />
And if, after the Second World War, women’s lives became easier, with<br />
washing machines and ‘the pill’, they did not g<strong>et</strong> simpler. The sixties were<br />
not a straight road to equ<strong>al</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> opportunity just because women were<br />
b<strong>et</strong>ter <strong>ed</strong>ucat<strong>ed</strong> and could aspire to having a marriage, children and a<br />
career. It was though, a fairer soci<strong>et</strong>y, the one that we inherit<strong>ed</strong>. And<br />
working on this book has made us appreciate that. To remember the past<br />
and how we arriv<strong>ed</strong> in the twenty-first century has been a rewarding and<br />
som<strong>et</strong>imes s<strong>al</strong>utary experience.<br />
15
women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
16
Editors’ Note<br />
Because the shape <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> has chang<strong>ed</strong> so <strong>of</strong>ten, we have us<strong>ed</strong> the<br />
modern boundaries (see map on p6). Modern <strong>Moray</strong> includes much <strong>of</strong> the<br />
old Banffshire.<br />
Not <strong>al</strong>l <strong>of</strong> the women select<strong>ed</strong> were born in <strong>Moray</strong>, but <strong>al</strong>l have spent part<br />
<strong>of</strong> their lives in <strong>Moray</strong>. All di<strong>ed</strong> before or during 2000. We have done our<br />
best to represent the women select<strong>ed</strong> fairly and correctly. Any unintention<strong>al</strong><br />
misrepresentation is much regr<strong>et</strong>t<strong>ed</strong>.<br />
Please visit the website www.women<strong>of</strong>moray.org.uk to find out about the<br />
<strong>Women</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> Project that accompanies this book and promotes<br />
women’s history in <strong>Moray</strong>.<br />
Libindx is the <strong>Moray</strong> Heritage Centre reference system (online). Each<br />
entry contains references such as publications, obituaries and newspaper<br />
articles and is thus important for further sources. Abbreviations are usu<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
explain<strong>ed</strong> in the text. DNB refers to the Oxford Dictionary <strong>of</strong> Nation<strong>al</strong><br />
Biography.<br />
Individu<strong>al</strong> authors’ initi<strong>al</strong>s are given at the end <strong>of</strong> each entry, as follows:<br />
rb Richard <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong><br />
sb <strong>Susan</strong> <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong><br />
mb Mary Byatt<br />
jc Jan<strong>et</strong> Carolan<br />
lg Lorna Glendinning<br />
sm Sheila McColl<br />
jm Jenny Main<br />
ao Anne Oliver<br />
ws William (Bill) Smith<br />
<strong>et</strong> Eleanor Thom<br />
jt Jan<strong>et</strong> Tryth<strong>al</strong>l<br />
Sadly Sheila McColl di<strong>ed</strong> just before this book went to press. It was Sheila<br />
who brought Meg Farquhar to our notice. Her article marks her love <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Moray</strong> and its history.<br />
‘Notes and Main Sources’ are to be found at the end <strong>of</strong> the book on pages<br />
347–70.<br />
17
women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
18
chapter one<br />
M<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> <strong>Women</strong><br />
I once thought with others that learning was quite useless to the fem<strong>al</strong>e sex. [Sir<br />
Thomas] More has quite chang<strong>ed</strong> that opinion. Nothing so compl<strong>et</strong>ely preserves<br />
the modesty or so sensibly employs the thoughts <strong>of</strong> young girls as learning.<br />
Erasmus 1527 1<br />
on 17 june 1390, Alexander Stewart, the Wolf <strong>of</strong> Badenoch, emerg<strong>ed</strong><br />
from Lochindorb Castle with his ‘Wyld Wyk<strong>ed</strong> Heilandmen’ to burn the<br />
burgh <strong>of</strong> Elgin and, the glory <strong>of</strong> the kingdom, Elgin Cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong>. Behind<br />
those terrible acts <strong>of</strong> destruction lay the Wolf’s feelings for a woman. Eight<br />
years earlier, Alexander Stewart had marri<strong>ed</strong> Euphemia <strong>of</strong> Ross, there<strong>by</strong><br />
increasing his territory and gaining the earldom <strong>of</strong> Ross. But his heart lay<br />
with Mariota and it was Mariota, mother <strong>of</strong> his children, who had liv<strong>ed</strong><br />
with him in his remote castle <strong>of</strong> Lochindorb on the western fringe <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Moray</strong>. In November 1389, however, Alexander had been forc<strong>ed</strong> to agree<br />
to r<strong>et</strong>urn to his wife Euphemia and to treat her well. This s<strong>et</strong>tlement was<br />
order<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> the bishops <strong>of</strong> Ross and <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>. The Bishop <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>,<br />
Alexander Bur, and Alexander Stewart had long been at odds; their dispute<br />
centr<strong>ed</strong> on the bishop’s refus<strong>al</strong> to accept the superior jurisdiction <strong>of</strong><br />
Alexander Stewart. The humiliating s<strong>et</strong>tlement regarding Euphemia was<br />
an important factor in Alexander’s decision to burn the cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong>. Despite<br />
the s<strong>et</strong>tlement <strong>of</strong> 1389, three years later Euphemia p<strong>et</strong>ition<strong>ed</strong> the pope for<br />
a separation from Alexander. The separation was grant<strong>ed</strong> in light <strong>of</strong> the<br />
‘wars, plundering, arson, murders’ that were a result <strong>of</strong> their union. What<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mariota? Almost nothing is known <strong>of</strong> Mariota, som<strong>et</strong>imes known as<br />
Mairead daughter <strong>of</strong> Eachann, but her name continues to inspire stories <strong>of</strong><br />
romance and mystery. 2<br />
Similarly, little is known <strong>of</strong> any women who liv<strong>ed</strong> in <strong>Moray</strong> before the<br />
Reformation <strong>of</strong> 1560. Most <strong>of</strong> the records that remain are <strong>of</strong> noblewomen<br />
whose lives are sk<strong>et</strong>ch<strong>ed</strong> in marriage contracts, divorces and leg<strong>al</strong> disputes,<br />
interwoven with reports <strong>of</strong> the intrigues and violence <strong>of</strong> their fathers,<br />
brothers, husbands and sons. Occasion<strong>al</strong>ly their de<strong>ed</strong>s, like Agnes<br />
Randolph’s defence <strong>of</strong> Dunbar Castle, are record<strong>ed</strong> independently.<br />
19
women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
Lochindorb Castle 2003 (Mary Byatt)<br />
These noblewomen came from the great castles <strong>of</strong> m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> –<br />
from Duffus, where an impressive motte and bailey castle arose from the<br />
flat marshy fringes <strong>of</strong> Loch Spynie, and where another Euphemia would<br />
come as a bride bringing we<strong>al</strong>th from Ross; from Lochindorb, ancient seat<br />
<strong>of</strong> the earls <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> until gift<strong>ed</strong> to Alexander Stewart in 1371; and from<br />
Ternway, or Darnaway, Castle, probably built <strong>by</strong> the earls <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> to<br />
replace the loss <strong>of</strong> Lochindorb. The m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> castle <strong>of</strong> Darnaway is gone,<br />
<strong>al</strong>though the magnificent oak ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the great h<strong>al</strong>l remains encas<strong>ed</strong> in an<br />
early nin<strong>et</strong>eenth century shell. Gone too is the roy<strong>al</strong> forest <strong>of</strong> Darnaway<br />
where kings and queens went hunting.<br />
The earldom <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> is an important part <strong>of</strong> the m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> story.<br />
Thomas Randolph, the first earl, was grant<strong>ed</strong> the earldom <strong>by</strong> Robert the<br />
Bruce. The territory was large, str<strong>et</strong>ching from lands on the west coast to<br />
the Spey, and south through Badenoch to Perthshire. The earldom, its area<br />
r<strong>ed</strong>ucing in size over time, pass<strong>ed</strong> through different families: the Randolphs,<br />
the Dunbars, the Douglases and various Stewart lines.<br />
The <strong>ed</strong>ucation <strong>of</strong> girls was a matter <strong>of</strong> chance. James iv’s <strong>ed</strong>ucation act<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1496 relat<strong>ed</strong> only to the first sons <strong>of</strong> the land<strong>ed</strong> gentry. The great<br />
Renaissance philosopher Erasmus, quot<strong>ed</strong> at the head <strong>of</strong> this chapter, was<br />
initi<strong>al</strong>ly oppos<strong>ed</strong> to the <strong>ed</strong>ucation <strong>of</strong> women. Signatures on marriage<br />
contracts and other leg<strong>al</strong> documents tell that some women were literate in<br />
the fifteenth century. By the middle <strong>of</strong> the sixteenth century, Agnes Keith<br />
was able to keep up a regular correspondence with her family and employees.<br />
There was not much in the way <strong>of</strong> a childhood for girls <strong>of</strong> high rank; <strong>by</strong><br />
twelve they might well be marri<strong>ed</strong>. The church condon<strong>ed</strong> early marriage<br />
because it was a way <strong>of</strong> avoiding the sin <strong>of</strong> fornication. 3 Despite the<br />
church’s attitude, illegitimacy was common among the aristocracy. The<br />
legitimate line <strong>of</strong> succession, however, was <strong>of</strong> enormous importance. This<br />
ne<strong>ed</strong> for legitimate claims to property explains the pr<strong>of</strong>usion <strong>of</strong> marriage<br />
contracts. Notaries were in high demand. The bride’s father paid a tocher,<br />
20
m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> women<br />
or dowry, to the husband’s family, and the bride might receive life rents <strong>of</strong><br />
lands and property in r<strong>et</strong>urn.<br />
Girls did have some rights: marriage arrangements made before they<br />
were twelve could be dissolv<strong>ed</strong>, and when the girls reach<strong>ed</strong> a marriageable<br />
age they were consult<strong>ed</strong> about their prospective husbands; they did not<br />
have to accept a man they did not like. 4 It was the gener<strong>al</strong> practice for sons<br />
to inherit titles and property, but if there were no sons, the daughters could<br />
inherit. However, marri<strong>ed</strong> women had no leg<strong>al</strong> property rights and their<br />
husbands took the titles and land that their wives had inherit<strong>ed</strong>, as is<br />
evident in the cases <strong>of</strong> Agnes Randolph and Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Dunbar. In practice,<br />
noblewomen were <strong>of</strong>ten quick to defend the rights <strong>of</strong> their children. Jan<strong>et</strong><br />
Kenn<strong>ed</strong>y, Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Dunbar and Agnes Keith were well known in the<br />
courts.<br />
Marriage among the aristocracy in m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> times was about making<br />
de<strong>al</strong>s and acquiring land. If the couple were relat<strong>ed</strong>, dispensation from the<br />
pope was <strong>of</strong>ten necessary before the marriage could take place, but for<br />
those with power gaining the dispensation was just a form<strong>al</strong>ity. The<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> the land and its inheritance was cruci<strong>al</strong>; love might or might<br />
not have been a factor. Agnes Keith’s apparent love match was remark<strong>ed</strong><br />
upon as unusu<strong>al</strong>. Divorce was possible in m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> times, <strong>al</strong>though not<br />
recognis<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> the church. Amongst roy<strong>al</strong>ty and the aristocracy the notion<br />
<strong>of</strong> marriage as a business transaction continu<strong>ed</strong> into the twenti<strong>et</strong>h century.<br />
One only has to visit Elgin Cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong> to understand the authority <strong>of</strong><br />
the church. The building itself speaks <strong>of</strong> we<strong>al</strong>th and power. Not even the<br />
king was immune from the control <strong>of</strong> the church. James iv did penance <strong>al</strong>l<br />
his life for his involvement in his father’s death, wearing an iron belt and<br />
going on long pilgrimages. The tension b<strong>et</strong>ween church and monarch is<br />
play<strong>ed</strong> out in Jan<strong>et</strong> Kenn<strong>ed</strong>y’s life. When Jan<strong>et</strong> donat<strong>ed</strong> money for a priest<br />
to pray for Archib<strong>al</strong>d Douglas, it might have been that she was thinking<br />
partly <strong>of</strong> herself and trying to lessen her own time in purgatory as well as<br />
his. The church, though unable to control the sexu<strong>al</strong> urges <strong>of</strong> its flock,<br />
remain<strong>ed</strong> an ever present influence on custom and practice.<br />
Our perception <strong>of</strong> women from these early days will inevitably be<br />
unb<strong>al</strong>anc<strong>ed</strong> because the records <strong>of</strong> women <strong>of</strong> lower rank are gener<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
missing, and single women are practic<strong>al</strong>ly invisible. There is mention, <strong>by</strong><br />
James iv’s treasurer, <strong>of</strong> the ‘madinnis that dansit at Elgun’ (1504) and the<br />
‘wemen that sang to the king’ (1506). 5 Of the lives <strong>of</strong> the maidens that<br />
danc<strong>ed</strong> and the women that sang we know nothing. We do have a snapshot<br />
<strong>of</strong> Cristen Varden who in June 1542 c<strong>al</strong>l<strong>ed</strong> Margarat Froster a common<br />
whore and thief; Margarat then r<strong>et</strong><strong>al</strong>iat<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> attacking Cristen, and the<br />
two end<strong>ed</strong> up before the burgh court <strong>of</strong> Elgin:<br />
21
women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
The assise deliuerit that Margarat Froster wrangit in the striking <strong>of</strong><br />
Cristen Varden with ane pan vpon the heid and draving the said<br />
Cristenis hair to greit quantate out <strong>of</strong> hir heid. 6<br />
Such squabbles amongst women are common in the burgh court records<br />
which are about <strong>al</strong>l that remain to inform us <strong>of</strong> the everyday life <strong>of</strong> the<br />
women <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> towards the end <strong>of</strong> the m<strong>ed</strong>iev<strong>al</strong> period.<br />
Inevitably, it is the noblewomen that appear in this chapter, and it is<br />
their marriages and liaisons that give us some insight into their lives.<br />
Marriage for women <strong>of</strong> high rank was a highly desirable leg<strong>al</strong> arrangement<br />
that enhanc<strong>ed</strong> the status <strong>of</strong> the woman and her family and accumulat<strong>ed</strong><br />
lands and income for the next generation. For some, happiness might have<br />
ensu<strong>ed</strong>.<br />
The noblewomen select<strong>ed</strong> here may have been important players in the<br />
unfolding history <strong>of</strong> Scotland, but their stories reside in that place where<br />
history me<strong>et</strong>s myth and where imagination s<strong>et</strong>s the scene.<br />
Gruoch (Lady Macb<strong>et</strong>h)<br />
Gruoch, or Grwok, born early eleventh century; marri<strong>ed</strong> 1) Gillacomgain;<br />
2) Macb<strong>et</strong>h 1033; di<strong>ed</strong> post 1056.<br />
Gruoch was the first queen <strong>of</strong> Scotland to be nam<strong>ed</strong> in historic<strong>al</strong> records.<br />
Centuries after her death she was misrepresent<strong>ed</strong> as the scheming and<br />
manipulative Lady Macb<strong>et</strong>h <strong>of</strong> Shakepeare’s trag<strong>ed</strong>y.<br />
Of roy<strong>al</strong> descent,Gruoch was record<strong>ed</strong> as being the daughter <strong>of</strong> Bohde,<br />
or Boite, who was a son <strong>of</strong> Kenn<strong>et</strong>h ii, <strong>al</strong>though some sources discount<br />
Boite and claim that her father was Kenn<strong>et</strong>h ii. With such a distance in time<br />
and with difficulties <strong>of</strong> translation b<strong>et</strong>ween Gaelic and Latin writers, and<br />
later accounts <strong>of</strong> those times woven through with legends it is not surprising<br />
that there is some confusion. Whatever the facts, she is gener<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
acknowl<strong>ed</strong>g<strong>ed</strong> to be <strong>of</strong> direct roy<strong>al</strong> lineage and from the Cenél Gabrain<br />
line. Her brother and her father, (and/or her grandfather, depending on<br />
which version <strong>of</strong> her parentage is accept<strong>ed</strong>) were slain during the struggle<br />
for the throne <strong>of</strong> Scots.<br />
The two main riv<strong>al</strong>s in the north during this struggle were the houses <strong>of</strong><br />
the Cenél Loairn and the Cenél Gabrain. Gruoch grew up in the tumultuous<br />
times when M<strong>al</strong>colm ii, <strong>of</strong> the Gabrain, secur<strong>ed</strong> his throne <strong>by</strong> exterminating<br />
<strong>al</strong>l other claimants. Because Gruoch was a direct descendant <strong>of</strong> the roy<strong>al</strong><br />
family, her children would continue the roy<strong>al</strong> line, and consequently a<br />
22
gruoch (lady macb<strong>et</strong>h)<br />
politic<strong>al</strong>ly suitable marriage was requir<strong>ed</strong> for her.<br />
As a girl Gruoch was marri<strong>ed</strong> to one <strong>of</strong> the many aspiring warlords <strong>of</strong><br />
the time, so uniting two riv<strong>al</strong> families. The marriage produc<strong>ed</strong> a son,<br />
Lulach. In the politic<strong>al</strong> struggle for supremacy, her husband, Gillacomgain<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Cenél Loairn, slaughter<strong>ed</strong> his own relative Find<strong>al</strong>each, mormaer<br />
(overlord) <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> and father <strong>of</strong> Macb<strong>et</strong>h. In 1032 Gillacomgain was<br />
burnt to death in revenge for this killing, but it is not clear who was<br />
responsible for his murder. Gruoch was then a widow, but did not remain<br />
one for long. Her roy<strong>al</strong> blood and her connections made her a v<strong>al</strong>uable<br />
pawn in the very complex game <strong>of</strong> kings.<br />
Gruoch marri<strong>ed</strong> Macb<strong>et</strong>h, rightful mormaer <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>, her late<br />
husband’s cousin and, perhaps, his murderer. Although Macb<strong>et</strong>h <strong>al</strong>ready<br />
had a v<strong>al</strong>id claim to the kingship, his marriage to Gruoch, a direct<br />
descendant <strong>of</strong> the roy<strong>al</strong> line, help<strong>ed</strong> add to his status and strengthen his<br />
claim to the throne. In contrast to the turmoil <strong>of</strong> her earlier years, Gruoch’s<br />
second marriage last<strong>ed</strong> for twenty-four years and appears to have been a<br />
successful one. Some clans such as MacQuarries, MacKinnons and<br />
MacMillans, claim their descent from Macb<strong>et</strong>h and Gruoch. However,<br />
these unsubstantiat<strong>ed</strong> claims emerg<strong>ed</strong> many centuries later and any<br />
verifiable facts are lost in the mists <strong>of</strong> time.<br />
As a powerful mormaer, Macb<strong>et</strong>h would have travell<strong>ed</strong> throughout his<br />
domain with Gruoch, staying in the various hilltop forts within the area.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> these residences could have been the hill fort on top <strong>of</strong> Cluny Hill<br />
at Forres. The suppos<strong>ed</strong> connection with Cawdor has no historic<strong>al</strong> basis.<br />
In 1040, ag<strong>ed</strong> twenty-seven, King Duncan di<strong>ed</strong> at Bothgowan<br />
(Pitgaveny), near Elgin, after initiating a battle with his cousin Macb<strong>et</strong>h.<br />
Macb<strong>et</strong>h then became king <strong>of</strong> Alba and, as a descendant <strong>of</strong> the MacAlpin<br />
dynasty, prov<strong>ed</strong> to be the last <strong>of</strong> the great Celtic kings. His lands were<br />
under constant threat from Norse, Orcadian and English invaders, but<br />
with Gruoch as his queen, he kept them safe, despite the violent upheav<strong>al</strong>s<br />
<strong>of</strong> the era, and creat<strong>ed</strong> the first relatively peaceful governance over the<br />
country during a reign renown<strong>ed</strong> for prosperity and stability. Gruoch was<br />
more than just the king’s consort; she was definitely acknowl<strong>ed</strong>g<strong>ed</strong> as a<br />
queen and the couple are describ<strong>ed</strong> as ‘Rex <strong>et</strong> Regina Scottorum’. The St<br />
Andrews register records that, as king and queen, they support<strong>ed</strong> the<br />
Columban, or Culdee, church with ‘gifts <strong>of</strong> Kirkness, Portmoak and Bogie<br />
to the Culdees <strong>of</strong> Lochleven’. This act may well have been partly politic<strong>al</strong><br />
in order to gain church support, but there is no evidence that Queen<br />
Gruoch was anything like the scheming monster <strong>of</strong> Shakespeare’s play.<br />
Kings in those times were answerable to the populace and cr<strong>ed</strong>it<strong>ed</strong> with<br />
the ability to affect harvest and famine. The prosperity <strong>of</strong> a good king<br />
23
women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
would be reflect<strong>ed</strong> in the well-being <strong>of</strong> his subjects as people protect<strong>ed</strong><br />
from the ravages <strong>of</strong> war would have time and opportunity to nurture good<br />
harvests and successfully raise stock. A Latin poem compos<strong>ed</strong> within a<br />
generation <strong>of</strong> his death praises Macb<strong>et</strong>h’s rule and states that – fertile<br />
tempus erat – in his time there was great plenty. Another record <strong>of</strong> his reign<br />
appears in the prophecy <strong>of</strong> St Berchan which says <strong>of</strong> Macb<strong>et</strong>h:<br />
after the slaughter <strong>of</strong> the foreigners,<br />
The liber<strong>al</strong> king will possess Scotland.<br />
The strong one was fair, yellow hair<strong>ed</strong> and t<strong>al</strong>l.<br />
Very pleasant was that handsome youth to me.<br />
Brimful <strong>of</strong> food was Scotland, east and west,<br />
During the reign <strong>of</strong> the ruddy, brave king.<br />
King Macb<strong>et</strong>h was kill<strong>ed</strong> in 1057 <strong>by</strong> his riv<strong>al</strong> for the throne <strong>of</strong> Alba, the<br />
heir <strong>of</strong> the Cenél Gabrain line, M<strong>al</strong>colm Canmore. Macb<strong>et</strong>h’s chosen<br />
successor from the bloodline <strong>of</strong> the Cenél Loairn was Gruoch’s son Lulach,<br />
from her first marriage. Within a few months Lulach too was eliminat<strong>ed</strong><br />
<strong>by</strong> M<strong>al</strong>colm – the line <strong>of</strong> the Cenél Loairn was thus effectively destroy<strong>ed</strong>.<br />
After the death <strong>of</strong> her husband and her son, Queen Gruoch disappear<strong>ed</strong><br />
from history while chroniclers concentrat<strong>ed</strong> on recording the ensuing<br />
power struggle in the land. There follow<strong>ed</strong> a deliberate campaign <strong>by</strong> the<br />
conquering Canmore dynasty to blacken the name <strong>of</strong> Macb<strong>et</strong>h and his<br />
queen. This was a propaganda technique to suppress any chance <strong>of</strong> revolt<br />
or support for any possible heirs <strong>of</strong> the Macb<strong>et</strong>h dynasty. Facts were<br />
manipulat<strong>ed</strong> and invent<strong>ed</strong> throughout the centuries until the sixteenth<br />
century writer Holinsh<strong>ed</strong> gave a fin<strong>al</strong> twist to the reputation <strong>of</strong> Queen<br />
Gruoch in his interpr<strong>et</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> Hector Boece’s history and creat<strong>ed</strong> the<br />
wick<strong>ed</strong> Lady Macb<strong>et</strong>h.<br />
William Shakespeare, using Holinsh<strong>ed</strong>’s version <strong>of</strong> history, compos<strong>ed</strong> his<br />
great politic<strong>al</strong> play warning <strong>of</strong> the dangers <strong>of</strong> kingly corruption and tyranny.<br />
King James vi and i, who reign<strong>ed</strong> during Shakespeare’s later years, was a<br />
descendant <strong>of</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> Canmore and ne<strong>ed</strong><strong>ed</strong> to boost his own cr<strong>ed</strong>ibility.<br />
King James did not g<strong>et</strong> on with his own wife, Anne <strong>of</strong> Denmark, and the<br />
creation <strong>of</strong> a wick<strong>ed</strong> queen, the monstrous Lady Macb<strong>et</strong>h, suit<strong>ed</strong> his<br />
prejudices. In life Macb<strong>et</strong>h and Gruoch were victims <strong>of</strong> the ambitious<br />
M<strong>al</strong>colm Canmore but in Shakespeare’s play, written to flatter the king, facts<br />
gave way to fiction, and their reputations were destroy<strong>ed</strong> for generations.<br />
In an age <strong>of</strong> constant warfare and feuding, rulers who did not me<strong>et</strong> the<br />
ne<strong>ed</strong>s <strong>of</strong> their people were swiftly depos<strong>ed</strong>. Despite having to quell the<br />
uprisings common in a violent age, Macb<strong>et</strong>h r<strong>et</strong>ain<strong>ed</strong> respect, support and<br />
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euphemia <strong>of</strong> duffus<br />
loy<strong>al</strong>ty within his kingdom for seventeen years and was confident enough<br />
<strong>of</strong> this support to leave <strong>Moray</strong> while he went on a pilgrimage to Rome.<br />
King Macb<strong>et</strong>h was interr<strong>ed</strong> on Iona <strong>by</strong> his people in the tradition<strong>al</strong> buri<strong>al</strong><br />
place <strong>of</strong> the Scots kings. Gruoch’s fate is not record<strong>ed</strong> because with the<br />
change <strong>of</strong> dynasty she had lost her power and status. Perhaps she was slain<br />
<strong>by</strong> members <strong>of</strong> the new order, but we can hope that, since she was no longer<br />
<strong>of</strong> childbearing age and thus present<strong>ed</strong> no threat to M<strong>al</strong>colm Canmore, she<br />
was able to spend her fin<strong>al</strong> years in saf<strong>et</strong>y, shelter<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> those who rever<strong>ed</strong><br />
the woman who had been their queen. (JM)<br />
Euphemia <strong>of</strong> Duffus<br />
Euphemia Mactaggart, born Applecross, Wester Ross, c.1210; marri<strong>ed</strong> W<strong>al</strong>ter <strong>of</strong><br />
Duffus, 1224; di<strong>ed</strong> post 1263.<br />
Euphemia <strong>of</strong> Duffus must be one <strong>of</strong> the earliest fem<strong>al</strong>e residents <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>,<br />
excepting Gruoch, to be record<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> name. By her marriage, she brought<br />
tog<strong>et</strong>her the families <strong>of</strong> a knight <strong>of</strong> Celtic origin and <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the foreigners<br />
grant<strong>ed</strong> land in <strong>Moray</strong> <strong>by</strong> David i.<br />
Her father was Farquhar, or Ferchard, Mactaggart, second Earl <strong>of</strong> Ross<br />
and lay abbot <strong>of</strong> Applecross, where she was born. There were four surviving<br />
children – a younger sister, Christina, and two brothers, William and<br />
M<strong>al</strong>colm. When King William the Lion di<strong>ed</strong> in 1214, Farquhar fought for<br />
the new king, Alexander ii, and was knight<strong>ed</strong> and award<strong>ed</strong> lands in Easter<br />
Ross at Delny and found<strong>ed</strong> an abbey at Fearn.<br />
In 1224 Euphemia was marri<strong>ed</strong> to W<strong>al</strong>ter de Moravia, great-grandson<br />
<strong>of</strong> Freskin the Fleming. David i had annex<strong>ed</strong> the lands <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> in 1143<br />
after an episode <strong>of</strong> insurgency, and the foreigner Freskin, who <strong>al</strong>ready had<br />
lands in Linlithgow, was given Duffus. It was Freskin who probably built<br />
the first motte and bailey castle at Duffus. David i stay<strong>ed</strong> there when he<br />
was in <strong>Moray</strong> founding the monastery at near<strong>by</strong> Kinloss in about 1150.<br />
The stone castle, the landmark ruin <strong>of</strong> today, was not built until the<br />
fourteenth century.<br />
Euphemia’s brother-in-law was Andrew de Moravia, formerly parson<br />
<strong>of</strong> Duffus, who succe<strong>ed</strong><strong>ed</strong> Bishop Brice de Douglas as bishop <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>.<br />
The church <strong>of</strong> Holy Trinity juxta Elgin was consecrat<strong>ed</strong> as the cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong> in<br />
1224, so it can be imagin<strong>ed</strong> that the development <strong>of</strong> the cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong> would<br />
have been a significant event in Euphemia’s marri<strong>ed</strong> life. She had one<br />
surviving son, Freskin ii. He marri<strong>ed</strong> Joanna, heiress <strong>of</strong> Strathnaver in<br />
1248 and they had two daughters. Euphemia’s husband, W<strong>al</strong>ter, di<strong>ed</strong> in<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
Duffus Castle 2003 (<strong>Susan</strong> <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong>)<br />
1262/3 and was buri<strong>ed</strong> ‘with his father the bless<strong>ed</strong> Hugo… in the church<br />
<strong>of</strong> Duffus near the <strong>al</strong>tar <strong>of</strong> the bless<strong>ed</strong> Kathrine.’ Freskin II di<strong>ed</strong> in 1269<br />
and ‘is buri<strong>ed</strong> in the chapel <strong>of</strong> S. Laurence <strong>of</strong> the parochi<strong>al</strong> church <strong>of</strong><br />
Duffus.’ There is no record <strong>of</strong> the death <strong>of</strong> Euphemia.<br />
An undat<strong>ed</strong> charter may relate to her father’s arrangement for her<br />
dowry <strong>of</strong> lands at Clyne in Easter Ross. In a charter sign<strong>ed</strong> and se<strong>al</strong><strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong><br />
Euphemia herself in 1263, she grant<strong>ed</strong> these lands to the diocese <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong><br />
for the maintenance <strong>of</strong> chaplains in the cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong> church <strong>of</strong> Elgin. Though<br />
we know little <strong>of</strong> her life, Euphemia’s impact on <strong>Moray</strong> was important,<br />
because her land, and the income it brought, was us<strong>ed</strong> to develop the<br />
power and influence <strong>of</strong> Elgin Cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong>. (JT)<br />
Agnes Randolph (Black Agnes)<br />
Agnes Randolph, born pre 1320; marri<strong>ed</strong> Patrick Dunbar, eight Earl <strong>of</strong> Dunbar<br />
and second Earl <strong>of</strong> March, c1320; di<strong>ed</strong> 1369.<br />
Agnes Randolph or Dunbar is famous for holding Dunbar Castle against<br />
the English. Through her, and her sister, the earldom <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> pass<strong>ed</strong> to<br />
the Dunbar family.<br />
Black Agnes, so c<strong>al</strong>l<strong>ed</strong> because <strong>of</strong> her swarthy complexion, was the<br />
daughter <strong>of</strong> Thomas Randolph, the first Earl <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>, and Isabel Stewart,<br />
daughter <strong>of</strong> Sir John Stewart <strong>of</strong> Bunkle.<br />
Nothing is known <strong>of</strong> Agnes’s early life. She was the eldest <strong>of</strong> four<br />
siblings: she had one sister and two brothers. It is likely that she spent some<br />
<strong>of</strong> her childhood at Lochindorb and, maybe, at a roy<strong>al</strong> hunting lodge at<br />
Darnaway.<br />
By 1324 Agnes was marri<strong>ed</strong> to Patrick Dunbar, eighth Earl <strong>of</strong> Dunbar<br />
and second Earl <strong>of</strong> March. A dispensation from the pope was requir<strong>ed</strong><br />
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agnes randolph (black agnes)<br />
because Agnes and Patrick were cousins. Patrick initi<strong>al</strong>ly support<strong>ed</strong> both<br />
Edward ii and Edward iii <strong>of</strong> England in the Wars <strong>of</strong> Independence and was<br />
made governor <strong>of</strong> Berwick Castle. He was <strong>al</strong>low<strong>ed</strong> to refortify his castle <strong>of</strong><br />
Dunbar, about thirty miles to the north <strong>of</strong> Berwick, which was <strong>of</strong> cruci<strong>al</strong><br />
strategic importance to the English. At this point, Patrick chang<strong>ed</strong> his<br />
<strong>al</strong>legiance. The English, under the Earl <strong>of</strong> S<strong>al</strong>isbury, besieg<strong>ed</strong> Dunbar<br />
Castle in 1338 in an attempt to regain it. Since Patrick was absent from<br />
home at the time <strong>of</strong> the siege, Agnes command<strong>ed</strong> the defence <strong>of</strong> the castle<br />
herself. When the English threaten<strong>ed</strong> to execute her brother John, Earl <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Moray</strong>, whom they held a prisoner, it is said that Agnes r<strong>et</strong>ort<strong>ed</strong> that, if<br />
that were to happen, she would become Countess <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>. The castle<br />
was not taken. Black Agnes won the day. The five-month siege was much<br />
report<strong>ed</strong> and Agnes’s role became a legend. Robert Lindsay <strong>of</strong> Pitscottie,<br />
writing <strong>of</strong> her over two centuries later, comment<strong>ed</strong> that she was ‘<strong>of</strong> greater<br />
spirit than it became a woman to be’. W<strong>al</strong>ter Scott, in his T<strong>al</strong>es <strong>of</strong><br />
Grandfather, had her ladies dusting the battlements to goad the English.<br />
He quotes a b<strong>al</strong>lad, said to have told <strong>of</strong> her exploits:<br />
She kept a stir in tower and trench,<br />
That brawling boisterous Scottish wench;<br />
Came I early, came I late,<br />
I found Agnes at the gate.<br />
Agnes was following in the tradition <strong>of</strong> her father, fighting for the<br />
independence <strong>of</strong> Scotland. Her husband is report<strong>ed</strong> to have chang<strong>ed</strong> his<br />
<strong>al</strong>legiance more than once.<br />
When Agnes’s brother John di<strong>ed</strong> fighting the English in 1346, Agnes<br />
and her sister, Isabella, inherit<strong>ed</strong> his lands. Patrick and Agnes took the title<br />
Dunbar Castle 2011 (<strong>Susan</strong> <strong>Benn<strong>et</strong>t</strong>)<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
<strong>of</strong> Earl and Countess <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> <strong>al</strong>though the earldom was technic<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
vacant and had revert<strong>ed</strong> to the Crown when John di<strong>ed</strong>. Patrick and Agnes<br />
had no children, but Isabella, who marri<strong>ed</strong> another Patrick Dunbar,<br />
nephew <strong>of</strong> Agnes’s husband, had two sons, the younger <strong>of</strong> whom, John,<br />
became Earl <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> in 1372 <strong>by</strong> roy<strong>al</strong> charter. Thus the title stay<strong>ed</strong> in the<br />
family. John, Agnes’s nephew, became known as the first Dunbar Earl <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Moray</strong>. (SB)<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Dunbar<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h Dunbar, born c.1425; marri<strong>ed</strong> 1) Archib<strong>al</strong>d Douglas, c.1442; 2) Lord<br />
George Gordon, 1455; 3) Sir John Colquhoun <strong>of</strong> Luss, c.1463; di<strong>ed</strong> c.1494.<br />
It was in the early 1450s that Richard Holland, precentor <strong>of</strong> Elgin<br />
Cath<strong>ed</strong>r<strong>al</strong>, d<strong>ed</strong>icat<strong>ed</strong> his poem, ‘The Buke <strong>of</strong> the Howlat’, to Elizab<strong>et</strong>h<br />
Dunbar, Countess <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> – ‘Thus for ane dow <strong>of</strong> Dunbar drew I this<br />
dyte’.<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h and Jan<strong>et</strong>, her older sister, were the only legitimate children<br />
<strong>of</strong> James Dunbar, the fourth Dunbar Earl <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>, and his wife, Margar<strong>et</strong><br />
S<strong>et</strong>on. James’s illegitimate son, <strong>al</strong>so James, found<strong>ed</strong> the Dunbar <strong>of</strong> Westfield<br />
line; a line which is still extant in <strong>Moray</strong>.<br />
James Dunbar, the fourth earl, di<strong>ed</strong> when Elizab<strong>et</strong>h was about five years<br />
old. Jan<strong>et</strong> and Elizab<strong>et</strong>h must have receiv<strong>ed</strong> some sort <strong>of</strong> <strong>ed</strong>ucation because<br />
they were able to sign leg<strong>al</strong> documents in their own hand. The two girls<br />
probably spent some <strong>of</strong> their early life at the seat <strong>of</strong> the Earl <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> at<br />
Darnaway. It was Elizab<strong>et</strong>h, the younger daughter, who inherit<strong>ed</strong> her<br />
father’s estates. Som<strong>et</strong>ime before 26 April 1442, she marri<strong>ed</strong> Archib<strong>al</strong>d<br />
Douglas, third son <strong>of</strong> James, seventh Earl <strong>of</strong> Douglas. The couple became<br />
known as the Earl and Countess <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong>. They had at least two children,<br />
James and Jan<strong>et</strong>. Richard Holland act<strong>ed</strong> as Archib<strong>al</strong>d’s secr<strong>et</strong>ary.<br />
In mirthfull mon<strong>et</strong>h <strong>of</strong> May,<br />
In myddis Murraye,<br />
Thus on a tyme <strong>by</strong> Ternway<br />
Happinnit Holland.<br />
[written in May, in <strong>Moray</strong>, in Darnaway, <strong>by</strong> Holland]<br />
Thus ends the poem ‘The Buke <strong>of</strong> the Howlat’, written at a time when the<br />
Douglases were at the height <strong>of</strong> their power. The poem, <strong>of</strong> 1,001 lines in<br />
an ornate and complex style, is about an owl that complains to the pope <strong>of</strong><br />
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elizab<strong>et</strong>h dunbar<br />
his ugly appearance. The owl is given feathers, <strong>by</strong> other birds, with which<br />
to adorn himself, but, growing arrogant, the feathers are taken away as a<br />
punishment. The poem is, in part, an elaborate tribute to the Douglases:<br />
O Douglas, O Douglas<br />
Tender and trewe…<br />
To James, lord Dowglas thay the gre gaif.<br />
To ga with the kingis hart tharwith he nocht growit<br />
[James Douglas was given the foremost place and did not<br />
shrink from going with the king’s heart]<br />
In contrast to the tribute, the owl’s downf<strong>al</strong>l is <strong>al</strong>so a reminder about the<br />
pitf<strong>al</strong>ls <strong>of</strong> high <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
The heart referr<strong>ed</strong> to in the poem is that <strong>of</strong> Robert the Bruce, taken <strong>by</strong><br />
James Douglas, ‘The Good Sir James’ (c.1286–1330) to the crusades – an<br />
act <strong>of</strong> unprec<strong>ed</strong>ent<strong>ed</strong> chiv<strong>al</strong>ry. James did not reach the Holy Land, but was<br />
kill<strong>ed</strong> in Spain fighting the Moors. The Douglas clan made good use <strong>of</strong><br />
James’s daring de<strong>ed</strong>s to promote themselves; they adopt<strong>ed</strong> the heart as<br />
their emblem. They became the most powerful family in Scotland and as<br />
James ii grew up he came to resent that power.<br />
The power <strong>of</strong> the Douglases, however, was coming to an end. In 1455,<br />
James ii m<strong>et</strong> the Douglases in battle at Arkinholm, near Langholm, and<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h’s husband was kill<strong>ed</strong>.<br />
On 20 May, nin<strong>et</strong>een days after she became a widow, Elizab<strong>et</strong>h sign<strong>ed</strong><br />
a marriage contract with George Gordon, Master <strong>of</strong> Huntly (c.1440–<br />
1501). The contract, sign<strong>ed</strong> in Forres on 20 May 1455, stat<strong>ed</strong> that ‘he<br />
[Huntly] s<strong>al</strong>l not constrenzie the said lady to carn<strong>al</strong> copulation but <strong>of</strong> her<br />
free will’. Because they were cousins, and there were many rules about<br />
marrying relatives, the pope had to be approach<strong>ed</strong> ‘in gudely haste’ for<br />
dispensation. There was to be no harm to James, Elizab<strong>et</strong>h’s son. Huntly<br />
would not g<strong>et</strong> the earldom <strong>of</strong> <strong>Moray</strong> automatic<strong>al</strong>ly. ‘Richard Holande,<br />
Chantour <strong>of</strong> Murrave is one <strong>of</strong> the many signatories. Elizab<strong>et</strong>h sign<strong>ed</strong> the<br />
document ‘Elyzab<strong>et</strong>h Contas <strong>of</strong> Murray with my hand’. The surviving<br />
document is a notari<strong>al</strong> copy. The marriage, however, did not last and <strong>by</strong><br />
1459 Elizab<strong>et</strong>h was divorc<strong>ed</strong>.<br />
Elizab<strong>et</strong>h’s third marriage, in about 1463, was to Sir John Colquhoun<br />
<strong>of</strong> Luss, Sheriff <strong>of</strong> Dumbarton and Comptroller <strong>of</strong> the Roy<strong>al</strong> Household.<br />
Moving west to Luss, <strong>by</strong> Loch Lomond, Elizab<strong>et</strong>h and John had a son, <strong>al</strong>so<br />
John. In 1479, Sir John Colquhoun was kill<strong>ed</strong> <strong>by</strong> a cannonb<strong>al</strong>l at one <strong>of</strong><br />
the many sieges <strong>of</strong> Dunbar Castle. Elizab<strong>et</strong>h spent much <strong>of</strong> her widowhood<br />
fighting for her inheritance.<br />
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women <strong>of</strong> moray<br />
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