Vanessa Collingridge and the team answer listener’s historical queries and celebrate the way in which we all ‘make’ history.
Programme 5
29ÌýApril 2008
Vanessa Collingridge and the team discuss listeners' historical queries and celebrate the many ways in which we all 'make' history.
The Yarrow Stone
Making History listener Sam Wade lives in the Yarrow Valley, south west of Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. Nearby are some standing stones and one in particular intrigues him – could it be the site of one of Britain's earliest Christian burials?
The Yarrow Stone
Making History consulted Rory MacDonald, the archaeologist at Scottish Borders Council, and Dr Dave Petts at the University of Durham.
Rory MacDonald explained that the stone was first 'discovered' in the early nineteenth century when a local farmer, improving his land, ploughed it up. It was examined by three notable locals, Sir Walter Scott, the African explorer Mungo Park, and Dr John Leyden, before being re-erected.
The stone bears a very worn Latin inscription which has been transcribed: 'This (is) the everlasting memorial. In (this) place (lie) the most famous Princes Nudus and Dumnogenus. In this tomb lie the two sons of Liberalis.' It is thought that it dates from about 550 AD.
Dr Dave Petts explained that this wasn’t an early Christian burial as the faith had been brought to Britain by the Romans some two centuries earlier and there are numerous burial sites reflecting this near Roman towns. However, what is interesting is the Latin inscription down the side of the stone.
Dr Petts explained that this was similar in style to that of stones found in Wales, Ireland and (very recently) close by near Selkirk, which have been traced back to a Celtic language known as Ogam. This suggests that after the withdrawal of troops from nearby Hadrian’s Wall, there were growing influences on the Scottish Borders from the west, across the Irish Sea as well as the earlier Christian influences from the recently departed Romans.
Useful Links
Further Reading
Christianity in Roman Britain by Dr David Petts. Published by Tempus.
Whitaker Wright
Richard Daniel told the story of late nineteenth century greed and fraud that led to a suicide in a room in the Old Bailey in 1904 – the rise and fall of Whitaker Wright.
The story is told at the .
Useful links
The Royal Schools of Ulster
Students at the Royal School, Portora in Enniskillen, contacted Making History after they completed a project on the founding of theirs and five other schools by James 1st's Charter in 1608. They wanted more information about how the founding of their school fits in with the history of the Plantation of Ulster and whether or not Catholic children as well as Protestant were allowed to attend.
Dr Jonathan Bardon explained the background to the establishment of the Royal Schools and how they were meant to provide a kind of social cement for the newly arrived 'planters' from England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. They were not intended for Catholic children, just the children of the 'planters'.
Useful links
Sporting memorials
Dr Mike Huggins at the University of Cumbria wants listeners' help in locating the tombs of sporting greats from the Edwardian and Victorian eras and earlier. If you can help email the programme or send us a letter - the contact details are below.
Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý
Contact Making History
Send your comments and questions for future programmes to:
Making History
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4
PO Box 3096 Brighton
BN1 1PL
Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý