Bannockburns – Stirling Story no. 17 for 23 April 2014

There are many interpretations of Bannockburn. Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem, The Lord of the Isles, published in 1815, is one of many literary works on the subject, and its hero, King Robert the Bruce. An episode is illustrated here in a window by Glasgow stained glass artist John Cairney in 1872. Scott’s work was popular for at least a century.

At 12 noon on Thursday 1 May, Professor Robert Crawford of the University of St Andrews will give a talk on Bannockburns, the title of his new book, which deals with the literature of Bannockburn over the past 700 years. In 1314, the poet-in-residence was Robert Baston, who came north with Edward II to write about the great English victory. Captured and held prisoner by Bruce for 20 years, he wrote one of the greatest anti-war poems of the middle ages, before gaining his freedom. He wrote in Latin, and the poem was translated in 2004 by the Scottish Makar Edwin Morgan.

Robert Crawford, himself a leading Scottish poet, will talk about the influence of Bannockburn on Scottish literature. Admission is free but as this is a great opportunity to meet a leading writer, booking is advisable. Telephone 01786 471 917.

 

Stirling Stories are published in the Stirling Observer every Wednesday.

Bannockburns: Scottish Independence and Literary Imagination, 1314 – 2014

At 12 noon on Thursday 1 May, poet Robert Crawford will speak in the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum on Bannockburns: Scottish Independence and Literary Imagination, 1314 – 2014, which is the subject of his latest book.

This is a rare opportunity to meet one of Scotland’s leading poets and explore the literary legacy of the Battle, which began with the great anti – war poem of the English poet Robert Baston who was captured by Robert the Bruce, and continues to this day.

Born in Lanarkshire, Robert Crawford studied and taught at Glasgow and Oxford, moving to the University of St Andrews in 1989 as Professor of the School of English. He has published six collections of poetry and over two dozen other books. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the British Academy, he has given readings and lectures at Berkeley, Oxford and Yale as well as in schools and village halls. An experienced broadcaster, he has been a judge of the National Poetry Competition, the T S Eliot Prize, and the David Cohen Prize.

Admission to the talk is free. Copies of the book, price £20, will be available on the day.
Event organised in conjunction with Waterstone’s of Stirling.