DAYS OF OLD SCOTLAND

Evening Star, Issue 19660, 13 September 1927, Page 10

DAYS OF OLD SCOTLAND

SPECTACULAR PAGEANT PAGES FROM HISTORY'. In every respect but ouo Scotland is thrifty; its history is prodigal of romance. Last month, two miles from tho centre of Edinburgh, a pageant was enacted before tho King and Queen of Scotland —whose other realms were for two hours wholly negligible—when that past of great beauty and many tears lived again. Tho scene was sot bolero the- ruined Castle of Craigmillar, famous in Scottish song and history. Tho actors numbered in their ranks at least 100 direct descendants of the historic families represented and many thousands of the local people of Edinburgh to-day. Sir Frank Benson, the pageant master, presented only scones from the lives of Janies IV. and of Mary Queen ni Scots, the two fairest and most illfated, perhaps, of (he Stuart line, Tho sun shone through a Scotch haze upon tho arrival of the King ol (his century, with the Queen in delicate shades of grey and mauve, tho Prince of Wales, and Princess Mary in beige and blue. Every scene was admirably conceived and organised, hut the most memorable were, pernaps, the first three dealing with tho story of James IV., the King of the Iron Belt. In tho opening scene gay booths and tents were set before the castle, and a crowd of medieval revellers, just a little too gav and snick-and-span to ho wholly realistic, made merry. _ There wore jolly ring games, tossing in the blanket, games of football and hockey, a nagging lady was set in the pillory, bright tents were set for a tournament. From tho cast rode in King James I IV., played by tho Marquess of Queens-1 berry, very gallant in red ajul gold. From the'west, while the King still joined in his people’s revelry, came, heralded by scarlet trumpeters, his English bride, tho Princess Margaret Tudor, represented by the Lady Mary Montague Douglas Scott, and an English retinue which included the Duke of Norfolk and Lady Rachel Howard, descendants of the Earl and Countess of Surrey, who escorted the Queen 400 rears ago. As the archbishops and bishops, magnificent in golden robes and mitres, and the choir descended from the bowling green to conduct the marriage ceroI rnony—and, very strangely, plain-song charits resounded in the Presbyterian j nir—the audience was busy in recognising the marouises. earls, and knights who represented their ancestors. The ceremony accomplished, fighting began in the true- medieval spirit. One knight on horseback rushed upon another, lance upraised, to rescue a, captive maiden; unhorsed, the vanquished challenged tho victor on foot. _ A good scene, if agitating for relatives, was closed by tbe King’s signal and the gift of a'chain from the new Queen who looked very beautiful in her blue velvet robes. ’

Thirteen years elapsed in a few seconds. and the departure of the King to meet his English foes nt Floddcn was portrayed. Tho arena was filled by fencers and swordsmen and armorers. until tho bands of Scottisli troops appeared—tho wild Highlanders from tho north, the archers of Etlrick, artillerymen, pikernen, cavalry, and the Royal bodyguard. The farewells of the Court from the castle steps were beautifully staged, and the ghostly) warning of tho mysterious blue man j brought a premonition of doom. The third and following scene,which] finished James's story, was tho most; dramatic of the afternoon. On the topmost tower a sentinel looked south- ' ward for news. At his cry of news from Floddcn the castle, walls and terraces wore people with anxious crowds. Among them very slowly rode in, with lowered banner, a survivor with nous ox (hat most tragic defeat. Women wept, priests chanted, the "rovosfc read in good clear Scots an exhoraiion (o defend the cilv. Four tall Scots rode tragically in from the fray, leading the King’s horse with omnt-v saddle, and j with the, notes of the ‘Ho Profundi* ’ . from the choir and the tragic wading of ‘The Flowers of tho Forest’ from the pipes of flic Cameron Highlanders ended a beautiful scene. Tlie two remaining episodes dealt with that part of the story oi Marv Queen of Scots winch w;is in truth enacted at CTaigmillar. Jn shaded groups of every tone ol delphinuim [duo *to nasturtium red. Girl Guides circled in an amazingly beautiful wheel. As they disappeared some hounds inaugurated a hunting scene, and from tho eastern trees, very gallant in red velvet, rode in tho Queen, followed by hen four Maries in IHlliant green. The Countess of Stair played the part of the ill-fated Queen Alary charmingly, and in her suite "ml in the group waiting to wolconm her were to bo seen manv other representatives of Scottisli families. In this act Queen Alary received in a golden chair those lords who were plotting her ruin through love, or hate; hut the chief interest centred in the annearanco high on the bowling green of her baby son James VI.. who roused all the fervid enthusiasm felt in democratic countries for Royalties under one year of age. Tn Ids honor was performed one of the most popular entr’actes of the afternoon —the dances and games of tiny children as dutiful in detail and delightful in mass as babies’ acting can he.