Ruddy Rutherford

A limk to the entire curse which was directed against my family (and others).

I wonder if its still in effect?

share.google/ZqWivwYivPjm...

One final thing.

The Archbishop of Glasgow put a curse on the Reivers in 1525 and its the most amazing thing.

Here is just a section:

"I curse them going and I curse them riding; I curse their crops, their cattle, their halls, their chambers, their cabbage patches, their plows, their harrows"

I had a theory that "bereaved" came from this time.
If the Reivers killed someone, which was common, the victim's family were said to have "been reaved" (or "reived").

However it seems the word is older and the Reivers are named after the word "Reive" which means "to rob by force"

"Red-handed" first appeared in Scottish legal texts and records during the Reivers period.
It referred to individuals apprehended with literal blood on their hands.
Over time, the meaning evolved to include being caught in the act of doing anything wrong, not just physical violence.

Such as "Blackmail" and "Redhanded".

"Blackmail" where "mail" meant "rent" or "tribute". The "black" part likely denoted the evil or illicit nature of the payment.

The Reivers were so fond of this that the word was created to describe it.

Reiver = Raider.

For about 300 years up to the early 1600s, the Scottish/ English border was lawless.

Those who lived there became "Reivers" to survive.

They owed no allegiance to Crown, State nor Church, but to their own bloid and friendships.

Their actions gave us some interesting words......

By "distant relative" I really mean it
He's my 4th cousin, 3 times removed
This means his 3rd Great Grandfather is the same person as my 6th Great Grandfather

So our connection is quite tenuous.
I also went to Westminster to see Newton's grave. Saw Earnest there, too, but didn't know if any kinship

Pics of unexemplary Rutherfords?
Only my teenage daughters.

Incidentally, I've recently found out that I am distantly related to Earnest Rutherford, of whom "Rutherfordium" is named after.
And that we are both descendants from a notorious "Border Reiver" family who were certainly not exemplary

It is great to have a new season and loving the exploration of the heavier members of the periodic table as a narrative device.

Selfishly, I'm hoping that the element "Rutherfordium" gets a mention, although Layne Staley would probably not want it covered.

"The Count halted, putting down my bags, closed the door, and crossing the room, opened another door which led into a small octagonal room lit by a single lamp, and seemingly without a window of any sort."

Scouted Slains Castle for some different photography compositions today.
Conditions did not warrant getting my DSLR out of the bag but I couldn't resist shooting the Octogon Hall that inspired Dracula's Castle

@swordofreason.bsky.social

Woohoo
We are officially cousins

Doing work on my family tree and I found the mother lode.

I managed to find a direct link to King Robert The Bruce.

The great man is my 20th Great Grandfather.

I can now join 200 000 000 people that can claim to be a direct descendant to the greatest warrior King Scotland has ever known.

Note:

There were other battles between Scotland and England that took place after the Union of Crowns in 1603 such as The Wars of the Three Kingdoms which were bloody and far more important than the Redeswire Fray.

End of thread

"The Black Laird" is my 11th Great Grandfather.

So raise a glass today to commemorate the men of Jedburgh who won the last battle between these two warring countries and to the stout Black Laird.

(Does winning this last battle mean that Scotland wins overall? 🤣🤣)

Led by Thomas Rutherford, "The Black Laird", his sons and other notable men the Scots turned the tide

The English Warden was captured and the English soundly defeated

'Bauld Rutherfurd, he was fu' stout,
wi. a' his nine sons him about,
He led the town o Jedburgh out,
All bravely fought that day.'

Insults started to fly but soon it was arrows as the English (remember, this was a Truce Day) started shooting at the outnumbered Scots.

The Scots retreated but we're pursued.

Arriving late to the meeting, the men of Jedburgh met the fleeing Scots and joined the fray.

The opposing Wardens (one on each side of the Scottish/ English border )of the Middle Marches met with their countrymen during a "Truce Day" to air grievances and sort out arguments.

The Scots demanded the English hand over a "free loader" but the English refused, saying they knew not where he was

A wee historical thread....

Today is the 450th anniversary of the last major battle between the Kingdoms Of Scotland and England.

Known as "The Raid of Redeswire" or "The Redeswire Fray".

#history #Scotland #Rutherford #Border #England

Proud of my bairn who was awarded a trophy today for her academic work.

And that's it for School for the Rutherfords.

Exams done, prom done and this, the last school event, done.

Next step University.

Well done Cadhla.
Both your parents are proud as hell.

I'm so happy that I got the opportunity to do this, and I hope I did @cdmorrissette.bsky.social proud as I love film and geeking out about film and therefore love his podcast.

I feel old today

My youngest child has just completed her last official day of school.

Yes, she still has exams to do and, all going well, she will be starting University (studying architecture) after Summer.
So her education journey continues.

But this is still a momentous day.

A wee thread about the fundraising my wife is doing at the moment

I love being predictable

I did indeed mean that but wasn't happy with it once it was shot. The owls just felt out of its setting

But after sitting with it for a while I think the original message works

I have loads of puffin pics.
I'll tag you on some ill post later

I must admit that having the towerblock in the background has put me off posting this before

But your right, that light was great

That's a hell of a pic.
Well worth the tribulations of getting there.

@harryhussey.bsky.social
I tried to send you these via private message but #Bluesky wouldn't allow it (something to sort out?)

I shot all of these with a cropped sensor and 500mm sigma lens

I'm speechless.

But also glad my photography is deemed worth following and hopefully brings a little joy in this dark world.