GOING COMMANDO
What is worn under those Scottish kilts?
Anne
Greene here. Last month I wrote a bit of history pertaining to the
World War II era. This month I’m writing about another passion, 18th
Century Scotland.
The age-old question of what is worn under a
Scotsman’s kilt has a simple answer...usually nothing!
Historically
Scottish Highlanders wore a tunic under their kilts, and nothing else.
Considering the rugged nature of their existence, underwear was not a necessary
part of their attire.
Scottish regiments traditionally went without
under-garments. This is likely origin of the phrase going commando!
To the proud and patriotic Highlanders, the
kilt was much more than a versatile piece of clothing, it was a cherished
symbol of their heritage. In 1746, after the Scots lost the Battle of Culloden
– which is the exact time setting of my Scottish Historical Series, Masquerade
Marriage, Marriage by Arrangement, and the yet to be released Marriage
To A Rogue, begins, King George II outlawed
the kilt.
King
George passed this law in a British government attempt to subdue the
independent Scottish Highlanders. Along with the kilt, the wide leather belt,
the fur or leather sporran, the kilt knife, the kilt pin, the knee hose and the
Ghillie shoes were all prohibited. Ironically this law forged the Kilt into a
symbol of Scottish culture and national pride, rather than just the traditional
Scottish clothing worn by Highland clans.
The Jacobite defeat at
Culloden was the last battle on British soil, the exhiled Prince Charles fled
the country he had hoped to rule. His supporters, the Highlanders, suffered
terribly from ‘Butcher Cumberland’ who ordered death to all Highland participants.
To further punish Scotland, Parliament issued Acts to destroy their clans, their
identities and their economic structures.
New laws abolished
heritable jurisdictions, claimed estates for the crown, banned the playing of
bagpipes, the wearing of tartans and Highland dress for all except government
troops, and restricted the possession of weapons. Read of these momentous events in my Scottish Historical series.
How many of you have traced your heritage back to
Scotland or to another place of origin?
Leave a comment. This month Anne is offering her commenters a chance to win her choice of any one of Anne's three published books. Leave a comment about your own heritage
below for a chance to win and to speak with Anne.
ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and
gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won
numerous writing awards. The sequel Marriage
By Arrangement releases in April. A Texas Christmas Mystery also won
awards. In 2014, her World War II novel, Angel With Steel Wings, about WASPs,
women test pilots will release. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas.
Visit with Anne and view her other books, her blog, travel
pictures, and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
Anne’s never too busy to talk with her fans.
Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader
to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual
relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com.
Visit with Anne every
14th day of each month here at Christian
Fiction Historical Society. Join her in May for SINGING IN THE RAIN, plus
another great giveway.
