A Mediaeval Village at Caerlaverock Castle

Mediaeval Scotland

Recently I went to see a working medaeval village. The backdrop was Caerlaverock Castle. It was a very spectacular sight. Firstly I shall show some photos, before going into some interesting historical details.

The day was run by Historic Scotland, and member groups from all over Scotland dress up to show how a Mediaeval village would have operated.On the day, boys could train to be knights, girls to be Princesses, and those not wishing to be either could become merchants. Each received a certificate at the end of the day to show they had passed their training. A great way to keep the children occupied, and a wonderful way to learn history.

During the day there was a battle, involving the children, and another involving the members of the Border Clans.

Demonstrating how the weapons were used.

Making bows, and playing musical instruments

Rev Dr Henry Duncan

Henry Duncan

Born the son of a church minister, near Dumfries in on the 8th October 1774, the young Henry attended Dumfries Academy, which is where I also went to school. After school he went to St Andrews University at the age of 16 years, but when a relative offered the chance of employment in a bank in Liverpool he went there after only two terms at university. Here he honed the commercial skills which were to lead to his establishment, years later, of the First Savings Bank.

Henry lasted only 3 years as a banker, and returned to university to train for the ministry. After qualifying, he returned to preach at Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, where his ministry spanned a half century. We have learned in the last few Blog entries of his restoration of the Ruthwell Cross, his establishment of the First Savings Bank, his discovery of the first fossil footprint, and his establishment of two local newspapers.

He married twice. His first wife Agnes bore him a son George, and when she died he went on to marry Mary the widow of a friend.

Henry was a great writer and his circle of friends included the likes of Thomas Carlyle, James Hogg, Sir Robert Owen, Sir David Brewster.

The garden of the manse was something of a showpiece which Henry's skills had developed. People would visit to see his garden and also the model farm he made, behind Ruthwell Manse.

An accomplished artist and sculptor, Henry painted local scenes as well as making a replica scale sculpture of the Ruthwell Cross which can be seen in the Savings Bank Museum.

Henry Duncan died, of a stroke, at the age of 71 in 1846, whilst preaching a sermon in a neighbouring Church.

So ended the life of a uniquely talented man who gave the world so much. He and his family are buried in the graveyard of Ruthwell Church.

What is the Connection between the 2 local Newspapers and the Ruthwell Cross?

What is the Connection between the 2 local Newpapers in Dumfries & Galloway and the Ruthwell Cross?

In SW Scotland we have 2 local Newpapers. The Dumfries & Galloway Standard, and the Dumfries Courier.


They were founded in 1843,with the aim of broadening the minds of the local people to appreciate not just local news but also news of world events.


The Standard is published twice a week, whilst the Courier is a free paper published once per week. In fact as I write this I am expecting to hear the Courier being delivered to my home any minute!

So who was the founder of these Newspapers?

None other than the multi -talented Rev Dr Henry Duncan!

The connection between the Ruthwell Cross and Britain's first fossil find.

The Connection between the Ruthwell Cross and Britain's first fossil find.

Here we can see the distinct footprint of a dinosaur. This is the first one to be found in the British Isles. It was found in a quarry at Lochmaben in SW Scotland. This footprint can be seen at the Museum of the Royal Society in Edinburgh.

So what is the connection with this footprint and the Ruthwell Cross?

Well, the extremely talented Rev. Henry Duncan was the man who discovered and identified it. After his discovery Henry Duncan presented a paper to the Royal Society in Edinburgh.

It is somehow appropriate that Scotland was the first country to set in place a Fossil Code, which gives guidelines about looking for, collecting, treatment of fossils etc. thus aiming to preserve the rich fossil heritage of Scotland.

Back in business

Well I do not know what I did to lose my layout, it has been a long struggle to get things put right, but now with thanks to Skyler and Glenn in Utah I have finally got both the Blog and the layout back! Yippeeee.

There will be a new post next week about a dinsosaur fossil, and its link to the Ruthwell Cross.

Layout Problems

Sorry Readers I am unable to make new postings at present as I have lost my layout facility.

What is the Connection between the Ruthwell Cross and The Savings Bank

What is the connection between

The Ruthwell Cross and a
Savings Bank?

In the closing years of the 18th century, Britain was suffering in many different ways. There was a need for many reforms at this time.

We had been at war with France, and more strife was still to come. All this had to be paid for. Added to this there was galloping inflation, with grain prices rising by a massive 358% within the short period of 15 months.

The majority of rural people worked long hours on the land where wages were extremely low. There had been some poor harvests, and as agricultural work is seasonal, it was almost impossible for people to make ends meet in the countryside.

The government of the day introduced direct income tax, but wages did not rise to reflect this. The children of the poor worked in harsh conditions.

The money was in the hands of the few, and as France had proved with its Revolution, something drastic had to be done! Social reform was, of course, resisted by the few who feared for their "heads".

It was a bleak time.

The little Parish of Ruthwell was no different from other rural areas, but then someone arrived in their midst, who was to change all this.

Not only did he change attitudes to the poor, he also changed the banking world forever.

This man personally underwrote a consignment of corn
to be shipped to the Solway from Liverpool, and arranged for its distribution.

He saw the trials of the poor, and realised that when someone was sick or died there was no income for that family. In the area a Friendly Society had been set up, which was a form of insurance fund to provide for such requirements. However this was not being run successfully. He revived this and saw that it was run properly. The Friendly Society flourished. the people of the area were starting to feel more secure.

To help the women he organised supplies of flax which they spun, whilst the men were working.

He saw the need for a community spirit, for some relief from the worries of work and money, and persuaded the local Laird to build a Society Room for local folks to get together for social meetings, parties and the like.

This building became the focal point of village life, and was to eventually become the site of the First Savings Bank.

This man believed in the dignity of the ordinary man. He believed that it was degrading for people to be labelled as poor.

Banking was outwith the reach of most people in those days, because one required an initial deposit of £10 to open an account. On wages of 5 pence per day one can see how this could never happen.

On 10th May 1810, he set up Ruthwell's own Savings Bank in the Society Room

To join this bank a deposit of 6 pence was made, and provided that every depositor lodged an amount of 4 shillings within a year, interest of 5% would be paid. The first year showed deposits of £151. By year 4 this had risen to £922. The Savings Bank was a success! The local people could hold their heads up high, they did not need charity, they were self sufficient.

By this time word about it had spread throughout Scotland, and this man was asked to travel to other areas to help set up similar banks. Soon this concept was being adopted in other countries in Europe and the World.

The tiny village of Ruthwell on the Solway Coast of Scotland had given the Savings Bank to the World.

But who was this wonderful man whose idea it all was?

None other than the same man who set about restoring the Ruthwell Cross, the Rev. Dr Henry Duncan. A man of vision.

Rev. Dr. Henry Duncan

A lovely collection of Savings Banks.

The Bank held the key to these banks so they could not be raided!

(I know this because I have one!)

Why the Ice Cream?

For those wishing to visit Ruthwell, and area, there is a farm which makes its own Ice Cream in the area, where one can stop, have a light meal and sample the delicious Ice Cream selection they have. It is called Drummuir Farm, Collin. there is also a play area for childen.

It called to me the day I made my visit to Ruthwell!

Mmmmmm Delicious!!!!