| Share page | Visit Us On FB |
|
X INTRODUCTION. |
||
|
Scotichronicon, often quoted, and highly curious as 'containing the earliest theory upon this subject. The Scotichronicon was written partly by For-dun, canon of Aberdeen, between 1377 and 1384, and partly by his pupil Bower, abbot of St. Columba, about 1450. Fordun has the character of a man of judgment and research, and any statement or opinion delivered by him would be entitled to respect. Of Bower, not so much can be said. He largely interpolated the work of his master, and sometimes with the absurdest fictions.1 Among his interpolations? and forming, it is important to observe, no part of the original text, is a passage translated as follows.8 It is inserted immediately after Fordun's account of the defeat of Simon de Montfort, and the punishments inflicted on his adherents.
"At this time, (sc. 1266,) from the number of those who had been deprived of their estates, arose the celebrated bandit Robert Hood (with Little John and their accomplices) whose achievements the foolish vulgar delight to celebrate in comedies and tragedies, while the ballads upon his adventures sung by the jesters and minstrels are preferred to all others.
"Some things to his honor are also related,
1 " Legendis non raro incredibilibus aliisque plusquam anilibus neniis." Hearne, Scotichronicon, p. xxix.
2 Hearne. Mr. Hunter agrees to this. 8 Hearne, p. 774. |
||