I'm giving a talk tomorrow night at Central Scotland FHS about online Irish resources, and just as I was checking details on how to get to the venue, the Smith Museum and Art Gallery, I came across a news story of interest.
The world's oldest football, circa 1540-1560, is now back in Scotland and at the museum after a stint at the Tower of London (not sure what crime it committed!). For more on the story visit www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk, and to see lots of pics of a sprightly Robert the Bruce welcoming it back see http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/116087287148505319012/BruceAndTheFootball#
Do come along to the talk if you can, it starts at 7.30pm - and I'll see if we can arrange a game of five-a-side after! :)
PS: Incidentally, a football was an old Scots word that was also used to describe the payment that weavers used to pay into the coffers of their incorporations, which allowed their wives to gain help from the body when the chips were down. It was also known as ba' money. You can use that one in your next pub quiz...! :)
Chris
www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)
Chris, you may be interested to know that the gentlemen in the costumes are members of Strathleven Artizans, from Renton in West Dunbartonshire, where King Robert the Bruce died in 1329. You can read about the Artizans and about the King Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre they have created in the disused railway station in Renton at http://www.strathlevenartizans.com/index.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Tam!
ReplyDeleteChris