THE 16th CENTURY

The 16th Century was perhaps the most turbulent in the long and bloody history of Scotland. It opened with the death of James IV and most of the Scottish nobility on the blood-soaked field of Flodden and closed with James VI as heir to the throne of England. It was a century that witnessed a transformation in military equipment and tactics, the further evolution of gunpowder, the decline in plate armour and the rise of the professional soldier. It was also a century of religious upheaval with reformations taking place in both Scotland and England resulting in both nations converting to the Protestant faith.

The 16th Century was the heyday of the Border Reiver, one of the most overlooked and misunderstood characters in the nations history.

Among the fascinating figures active in the 16th Century was Mary Stewart, known to history as Mary Queen of Scots. Her tragic life of intrigue and poor decisions is one of the most popular and romantic in the annals of Scottish history.

After years of doing two-man 16th Century shows, Gaddgedlar now has the resources to put on a full display of 16th Century life portraying a wide range of colourful characters from that time including Pikemen - the mainstay of Scottish armies, an harquebusier with his strange, new-fangled weapon and a Border Horseman - honourable rogue or murderous thief? You decide.

Elements of our 16th Century show are incorporated into our main group display.

16th Century Links:

Characters of the 16th Century

Some Photos from our recent 16th Century show at Aberdour

A Biography of James IV

The Army of James IV

The Rough Wooing

The Border Ballads

The Archbishop of Glasgow's Curse

The Battle of Linlithgow Bridge

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