TRADE The
trade between Scotland and the Low Countries of Europe focused around
the area known as the East Neuk of Fife.
In the early days of high trade, before technological advancement in sea travel, those making the perilous journey across the water had to develop their own mode of navigation. Travel
by sea - low quality (modem) Trade had changed the world into a larger place, detaching people from their families for long periods of time or permanently. In the archive of the Scots Kirk at Rotterdam lies a letter written in the early 18th century from a mother in Kirkcaldy to her daughter in Rotterdam that sums it all up. Her daughter is marrying a man her mother has never met. Her son Magnus is sailing on perilous seas around the world and is never at home. ‘Loving
and Dear Daughter, I recied your Letter and an old hat and a neu on and
tou cotten handcourchs, and i hear that you are going to be maried, so
I have sent your testfacet to you, and I descier you that you wold teake
note, what your douing, and it be one that feares god and on that walketh
uprightly, and if so be I give my concent to it and all my Deaser to it.
And wisheing that the almightie god rest upon you and remen and i give
my blessing and good will to you...your Brother Magnous is been att hom
in the month of Desember but he was were bad, and he was cast awey 5 temes
and eight monthes among the turkes, but thanks be to god he is Com throu
them all and is now away to the Waest Indenes, a woge 9 monthes. He went
awey from Loundon the 27 of Desember; he sent a Letter that when he comes
hom he is to com down to Scotland and to sety at home. Your loving mother
til Death, Elisabath Gringe.’ If the audio/video doesn't play, you may need to download the free RealPlayer plug-in. (for Windows 98/2000/XP and Mac OS X users) or (for Windows 95 and Mac OS 9 users). ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ WebWise has a step-by-step guide to help you.
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