Weather here since we've been back has been really nice - sunny days, cool nights. And after a brief bit of rain from last night's sudden thunderstorms and morning fog today, it looks like we are back on tap for some more beautiful weather today. I hope the weather is being as kind to you as ours is to us.
So how many of you think of Germany when you hear bagpipes or see plaid kilts or argyle prints? I know I sure didn't. So I was really surprised to find that Germany has had an influence on Scotland almost since the time of Christ. Originally, Celtic tribes (Gaelic is a form of Celtic pertaining to Scotland) populated much of the islands of Briton intermixed with a sprinkling of peoples from all nearby areas. Around 43 AD, though, Romans (and thus Christianity) came to the area, having most of their success in current-day England. Germanic people were often mercenaries in the Roman armies and would have made it to Briton at this time. The Celtic tribes (the groups were called Picts) moved to the north and west of the islands. Eventually, the Romans left the region, only to be replaced by a new group coming abroad - the Saxons. People from Germany and Denmark began arriving around 400 AD. Although the groups consisted of Angles, Saxons, and other regions, Saxons have been given the most attention of this group. After many battles, the Anglo Saxons prevailed, at least in government, in 843 by uniting with and then absorbing the Picts to become the Scots. However, since the people were still mostly Picts, the Gaelic flair to the culture prevailed.
The Saxons were not to have peace, though. Starting in 787, the Vikings began making their moves on the islands. By 865, the huge numbers coming over in battle were too much for the local Scots, and the Saxons were pushed to the region called Wessex. The last remaining Saxon king, King Alfred, who was ruling in current-day England was finally able to start the turn of events with the Vikings, but it took not just King Alfred, but also his sons and grandsons before they were truly pushed out.
By the mid 1200s, Scotland had pretty much developed into its modern day boundaries, although changes would come and go over time. This was, after all, the age of legend beginning with William Wallace in 1297. After many tumultuous years of back stabbing and conniving, Scotland and England finally came under one rule with James VI. From this time forward, Scotland was basically ruled from England, but that isn't the end of the Germanic ties. Even though the rule of great Britain eventually fell to the House of Hanover (yes, another Germanic royal line), the former ruling Scottish line still existed. In an ironic twist of fate, the Stuart lines (of the many James' of Scotland) eventually fell, due to lack of direct offspring, to the House of Bavaria in 1919. The current heir to this line is the Duke of Bavaria who lives in Munich.
The words for the day are revisited words - king and queen: der König (ker nig) and die Königin (ker nig ehn).
The question for the day is "Who were the House of Hanover, and why were they important?"
Bis morgen,
Frau Spitzer
