Monday, October 13, 2008

In the name of History

The world economic system faces total meltdown, the two major Scottish Banks are effectively nationalised so what is on the mind of Scottish Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame?

She is to make a motion to the Scottish Parliament later this week demanding the body be repatriated. The call is backed by composer James MacMillan and Lib Dem MSP Hugh O'Donnell.

According to Ms Grahame:

She was an iconic historical Scots figure and ultimately the victim of English plotting

Given the House of Stuart's association with Falkland Palace, a place where Mary is believed to have spent her happiest days, that would appear to be an appropriate place to inter her remains.


Was she a victim by the way? Probably yes but she was hardly innocent!

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said:

Mary Queen of Scots is undoubtedly held in very great and affectionate esteem by Scots Catholics who admire her religious devotion and fidelity to the church.

As such, there would be significant interest among many Catholics in any plan to repatriate her remains.


Now then my knowledge of Mary Queen of Scots is not deep, I know the story of how she had to flee to England and I do know that she was initially buried at Peterborough Cathedral but in 1612 her SON James VI of Scotland and James I of England had remains moved and interred in a lovely tomb at Westminster Abbey.

So my reaction was well if that's what her son wanted then so be it. What right is it of a politician 400 years later to request her body to be moved? I'm intrigued to read that Westminster Abbey agrees with.

Ms Smith no doubt thinks that she is being a patriot and that this is some sort of step towards her goal of Scottish Independence but let me put it this way that, I wouldn't appreciate some non-entity like her overriding my "express instructions" regarding my parents., so what right has she to override James'?

5 comments:

Tricia Ryder said...

I think it dreadful that a someone totally divorced from the family, can override the family's wishes. The distance of time makes not one jot of difference either!

The Quacks of Life said...

WHOOPS!!

Border Reiver left the following comment that somehow I managed to lose!!

"What is also sad, one never learns from History.... we all get fooled into thinking, it'll not happen to me "

Attila the Mom said...

Great point! Very interesting.

Eagleseagles said...

What I can gather James didn't get on with his mother(or her him!)...her wish was to be buried in France.
(James was brought up as Protestant away from his mother.)


So none of 'em have got it right!

C

The Quacks of Life said...

C i am aware they weren't close but i don't see it as something a politician has the right to change 400 years later

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