Trials and Triumphs
Anne L. Forbes
Huntly Castle, Huntly
Sunday 5 August 2012
3pm
Admission free
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Anne L. Forbes launched her new book Trials and Triumphs, telling the story of the Gordons of Huntly in Sixteenth-Century Scotland. This book first traces the rise of the Gordons from minor magnates in Berwickshire to major players in the north and nationally. They reached their zenith in the person of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, during the sixteenth century. The rest of the book focuses on his family, with the parallel biographies of four of his sons and two of his daughters. Their very different stories illuminate the period because they participated in, and were deeply affected by, the lives of Mary Queen of Scots and her son James, who were vital pawns in the European power play between England, France and Spain during a crucial time of religious and political change. This book is an important addition to the historiography of the Gordons of Huntly, rulers of the north of Scotland and involved in most significant events of sixteenth-century Scotland. The AuthorAnne L. Forbes gained a degree in Early Modern Scottish History from the University of Aberdeen. She has taught in schools in London, Norfolk, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Northern Ireland and North-East Scotland. After some years working in Africa, she and her husband returned to Scotland in 2001 settling near Huntly, the centre of power for the Gordons, her ancestors. |
Trials and Triumphs Anne L. Forbes £25.00 ISBN 978-1-906566-52-4 |
Launch video by Cathy Maxwell
Review by Linda Smith
Led by lone piper Julian Henderson, we took the path below the imposing facade of Huntly Castle that rises proudly above the land the Gordons ruled so long. On that cool August Sunday, we were to gather in the courtyard of the castle to celebrate the launch of Anne Forbes's history of the Gordon family, Trials and Triumphs: the Gordons of Huntly in Sixteenth Century Scotland. Surely no more perfect place exists in which to launch a book that follows the progress of the Gordon clan's most powerful characters!
Maureen Ross, convenor of Huntly Writers, welcomed the company, outlining the programme for the afternoon and introducing us to Anne, who is a loyal member of Huntly Writers. Over the years, the writers have offered support and encouragement and have sat enthralled as Anne read extracts from her history at our meetings. The publication of her book has therefore been much anticipated by the group and members were delighted to receive an invitation to attend the launch at Huntly Castle.
The first speaker was Alex Forbes of Druminnor Castle, who has considerable knowledge of local history and proved to be of great assistance when Anne was researching her book in the early stages. He spoke about the significance of this turning point in Scottish History, with its dramatic, religious and political changes: from Catholic to Protestant; from alliance with France to alliance with England. The Gordons and other important North-East families would play an important role in the harrowing and often bloody events that swept the land. In his view Anne's book will be vital in filling gaps in the historiography of the clan.
Here in one of her favourite places, where she feels her characters come alive, Anne held a copy of her book aloft and gave entertaining — and tempting glimpses of the delights in store for her readers — a castle going up in flames at Corgarff; a barefoot earl escaping from his palace in the nick of time; a bloody execution in the streets of Aberdeen. It is clear that Anne is not only deeply knowledgeable of this dark and turbulent period in Scottish history, but she also conveys a genuine enthusiasm for these charismatic, but often outrageous, figures, the 4th Earl of Huntly — the Cock of the North, Mary Queen of Scots' Lieutenant of the North — and his family of four sons and two daughters. Her decision to focus also on Jean and Margaret Gordon, both strong and determined women, is refreshing, as the lives of the women of those days were so often dismissed as of no account.
Ross Herald Extraordinary, Charles Burnett, then drew our attention to the decorative frontispiece above the main door of the castle and gave a scholarly and fascinating account of the coats of arms, that belonged to the 1st Marquis of Huntly and his wife. We could just make out the Catholic symbols that also adorned this doorway, before being defaced by Protestant Covanters.
The launch at the castle was brought to a close by a friend of Anne's, Martin Treacher, once editor of the Huntly Express and now entertainer at Skibo Castle, who sang for us A Gordon for Me, with several new and amusing verses, which he'd composed as a fitting tribute to Anne and her history of the Gordons.
We toasted the author with glasses of her own excellent elderflower cordial, before heading back to the castle Visitor Centre to buy copies of Trials and Triumphs, which Anne signed. A wonderful afternoon ended at the Cooper Park Pavilion, where we enjoyed a scrumptious spread, provided by members of Huntly Writers, including Anne herself, and served by the Cooper Park Youth Group.