11.3 Scots in Renaissance and Reformation times

By the second half of the 16^th century, the Scots language was beginning to change, largely in response to developing links to England. The Reformation of the Catholic Church in Scotland during the 1550s and 60s was a tumultuous time, yet it was also a time of extensive cultural activity. Following in Martin Luther and the German Reformation’s footsteps, where the New Testament was first published in German in 1522, a ‘vernacular’ Bible, which was written in English and known as the Geneva Bible, was adopted by religious reformers in Scotland. This made the Bible accessible to anyone who could read, but also meant that many people were reading English, rather than Scots.

Portrait of John Knox

The leader of the Reformation in Scotland, John Knox, wrote a lengthy History of the Reformation (1559–1566) in lively Scots prose. Knox’s writing is very much of its time and is well known for its outrageous prejudice against women and Catholics.

Activity 7

In this activity you will be working with an extract from Knox’s History of the Reformation, in which he ridicules two cross bearers who come to blows while leaving Glasgow Cathedral. These events are thought to have taken place on 4^th June 1545.

Part 1

Listen to the extract and try to understand what events took place according to Knox. Try to listen first without looking at the transcript. Also read out the verse and record yourself, then compare your recording with our model.

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Transcript

Listen

Cuming furth att the qweir doore of Glasgw Kirk, begynnes striving for state betuix the two croce beraris, so that from glowmying thei come to schouldering; frome schouldering, thei go to buffettis, and from dry blawes, by neffis and neffelling; and then for cheriteis saik, thei crye Dispersit, dedit >pauperibus, and assayis quhilk of the croces war finest mettall, which staf was strongest, and which berar could best defend his maisteris preeminence; and that thare should be no superioritie in that behalf, to the ground gois boyth the croces. And then begane no litill fray, but yitt a meary game; for rockettis war rent, typpetis war torne, crounis war knapped, and syd gounis mycht have bene sein wantonly wag from one wall to the other: Many of thame lacked beardis, and that was the more pitie; and therefore could not bukkill other by the byrse, as bold men wold haif doune.

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