BOOKISHGAL

This “Earthquake Book” didn’t change my world view or help me start eating fruit, or any sort of upheaval like that. But this trilogy about Robert the Bruce, the historic Scottish hero and king, turned me absolutely mad for Scotland and its history.

I had heard the name “Robert the Bruce” during my life, and had no idea who this person was or why he had such an odd (to me) name. So when I saw The Steps to the Empty Throne, by Nigel Tranter, along with the other two books in the trilogy (The Path of the Hero King and The Price of the King’s Peace), I absolutely had to buy them.

And I discovered that Robert Bruce of Scotland was the king who, after many battles, took Scotland out from under England’s thumb in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, re-establishing that country’s sovereignty and independence. I followed the intrigues and the battles with avid attention, absolutely devouring all three books. I found out about Bruce’s antagonist and occasional ally, the rebel William Wallace. I learned about the various clans in Scotland. And I also found out where the Stuart kings had come from (both of Scotland and England): Bruce’s son David died without an heir, so Bruce’s daughter Marjorie, who had married Walter Stewart (of the family of Stewards of the crown) became the heir.

I’d never known anything at all about Scottish history before this. But I was suddenly so enthralled that I bought book after book that Tranter had written. He had such a way of making these people real, of making them live. He portrayed their worries and struggles, he talked about the larger view and the national implications of the choices they made, and when he wrote about a battle, you could almost see the positions of the armies and the tactics they used in the fight. But what I loved most was how he described the clans and other families, what their motivations were, how stubborn they were, and how Robert Bruce found ways to drag them all together to support the cause of independence. And, of course — how he dealt with those in Scotland who continued to side with England, and fought against him.

I read nothing but Tranter’s books, for months. This was the time when I learned how to read while walking, so I could start reading as I left the house to head for the bus, could continue reading on the bus, and keep reading while walking from the bus stop to work. I was mesmerized.

I’ve loved the very idea of Scotland ever since. Which was why, despite my solid paternal Mennonite background going back seemingly to time’s beginning, I was thrilled to discover two different Scottish bloodlines on my maternal side. (I’m all over the Davidson clan, and some day want to have a skirt and sash made from the tartan.)

I see, looking at the Wikipedia site, that Tranter wrote way more books than I ever knew about. I guess I’ve got some hunting to do now, eh??

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