22nd of February

Saints Thalasius and Limneus, 5th century. St Baradat, 5th century. St Margaret, or Cortona, 1297.

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Born. – Dr Richard Price, statist, 1723, Tynton; George Washington, President of the United States, 1731, Bridge’s Creek, Virginia. 

Died. – David II. (of Scotland), 1371, Edinburgh Castle; Frederick I. (of Tuscany), 1609; Frederick Ruyschm anatomist, 1639, The Hague; James Barry, painter, 1806, Marylebone; Dr Adam Ferguson, historian, 1816, St Andrews.

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On this Day in Other Sources.

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So often had the storm of war desolated its towers, that the Castle of Edinburgh (which became David’s favourite residence after his return from England in 1357) was found to require extensive repairs, and to these the king devoted himself. On the cliff to the northward he built “David’s Tower,” an edifice of great height and strength, and therein he died on the 22nd February, 1370, and was buried before the high altar at Holyrood. The last of the direct line of Bruce – a name inseparably connected with the military glory and independence of Scotland – David was a monarch who, in happier times, would have done much to elevate his people.

– Old and New Edinburgh, pp.21-26.

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It began then to snow and freeze till the 22nd day of February [1555,] on which day men and women might well pass on the ice of Lyon in sundry places,..

– Sketches, pp.341-394.

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The chancellor, the justice clerk, and other counsellors, were sent for to Edinburgh. This wretched enthusiast was tried, in a few days, at St. Andrews; and, on the 22d of February [1563,] was executed; “reading over, on the scaffold,” says Brantome,” Ronsard’s hymn on death, as the only preparation, for the fatal stroke.” The Queen perceiving, that her bed chamber was not safe, from such intrusions, adopted the resolution of taking Mary Fleming, to be her bed fellow.” She was one of the daughters of Lord Fleming, and was one of the four Maries, who had gone to France, with her; returned in her train; and continued one of her maids of honour, till she married Mr. Secretary Maitland.

– Life of Mary, pp.78-98.

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But the following winter struck the chronicler of Fortirgall as more than usually severe. “The 22d day of February [1573] there came after noon a great storm, of snow and hail and wind, that no man nor beast might lift up their heads, nor walk nor ride, and many beasts perished without in that storm, and many men and women perished in sundry places; and all kinds of victual right dear, and that because no mills might grind for the frost…”

– Sketches, pp.341-394.

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Blackhouse William had been unable to pay his fine, and having been consigned to durance he threatened to set fire to the prison, and actually attempted to do so, protesting at the same time that “he wad naither acknowledge provest nor baillie, king nor casart,” and for this he was again arraigned. The opprobrious words he denied, but he “confessit that being wardit in anger.” This time justice was vindicated by the offender being “ordanit to be wardit in ane unfreemans ward quhill the morn, being mercat day, and then to walk bare heidit to the croce, and after being put in the irnes thair be the space of 4 hors, he is humblie on his kneis to ask God mercie, and the baillies pardon, for his hie and proud contempt.”¹

– Old Glasgow, pp.215-237. 

¹  22d Feb. 1612.

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Several letters have reference to the famous white hind of Corrichiba, which King James VI. greatly desired to secure, and sent his foresters to attempt it. Mr. Bowie only informs us that “the said Englishmen saw the hind in Corrichiba on 22 February 1622.” The correspondence shows that they failed in their enterprise, and also that they spoke highly of the hospitality of the country. It is not from themselves we learn that the Highland drink was too potent for the Southron!

– Sketches, pp.341-394.

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On the 22nd of February, 1656, during the Protectorate of Cromwell, a committee was appointed by the Commissioners of the shire of Edinburgh for the equalisation of the assessment, “and for the more speedie effectuating thereof, the whole heritors, liferenters, woodsetters, and other persons whatsomever, liable in payment of cess,” were ordered to appear before the said committee, at the Judge Advocate’s lodging at foot of Gray’s Close, on certain forenoons in March, according to a paper in the Scottish Literary Magazine for 1819.

– Old and New Edinburgh, pp.266-274.

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   “ACT settling the Manner of Electing the Sixteen Peers and Forty-five Commoners, to represent Scotland in the Parliament of Great Britain.  

February, 5, 1707. 

   OUR SOVEREIGN LADY, Considering, That by the twenty second Article of the Treaty of Union, as the same is ratified by an Act past in this Session of Parliament upon the sixteenth of January last; It is provided, that by virtue of the said Treaty, of the Peers of Scotland at the Time of the Union, Sixteen shall be the Number of the Representatives of Scotland in the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain; and that the said sixteen Peers, and fourty five Members in the House of Commons be named and chosen in such Manner, as by subsequent Act in this present Session of Parliament in Scotland shall be settled; Which Act is thereby declared to be as valid, as if it were a Part of, and ingrossed in the said Treaty…”  

– Caledonian Mercury, Monday 22nd February, 1725.

– Treaty of Union Articles, 1700-1750.

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The old tenement, which occupied the ground between Strichen’s Close and the Blackfriars Wynd (prior to its destruction in the fire of 22nd February, 1825), and was at the head of the latter, was known as “Lady Lovat’s Land.” It was seven storeys in height. There lived Primrose Campbell of Mamore, widow of Simon Lord Lovat, who was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1747, and there, 240 years before her time, dwelt Walter Chepman of Ewirland, who, with Miller, in 1507, under the munificent auspices of James IV., introduced the first printing press into Scotland, and on the basement of whose edifice a house of the Revolution period had been engrafted.

– Old and New Edinburgh, pp.253-258.

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“Letter to the Editor.

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   SIR, – By the demise of Mr Forbes of Callendar, on the electors of Stirlingshire will soon devolve the privilege of choosing his successor for Parliament; and it is to be hoped that those friendly to the national cause of Justice to Scotland will avail themselves of this opportunity to use their best exertions that no one be elected who will not stand up for Justice to Scotland, – a cause as just as it is honourable and expedient. Stirlingshire is of all others that county in Scotland which should make a stand on this national question. Bannockburn itself is within her borders; Stirling Bridge and Falkirk should remind her that the rights and immunities of Auld Albyn owed much, in former days, to deeds done in Stirlingshire; and that an opportunity now occurs to shew the people of Scotland that Stirlingshire is still true to Scottish rights, and will have no one for her representative who will not be prepared to stand up, on every fitting occasion, and advocate in Parliament those rights, guaranteed to us not only at the Treaty of Union, but gained for us by our  forefathers in days gone by. Let the Shibboleth of every leal Scotsman in Stirlingshire, at the coming election, be – Will you, at every fitting opportunity, be prepared to advocate the rights and privileges guaranteed to us, but hitherto evaded? If the candidate says Yes, he is your man; but if he quibbles or hesitates, reject him, – so shall you do honour to yourselves, and have the gratitude of every sound Scotsman in broad Scotland. – I am, &c.,  

A TRUE SCOT.”

– Falkirk Herald, Thursday 22nd February, 1855.

– Treaty of Union Articles, 1850-1875.