Interview: Scotland & the
Flemish People
by James Blake Wiener
published on 03 December 2024
The Flemish are among the
most important and perhaps the most underappreciated immigrant groups to
have shaped the history of medieval and early modern Scotland. They came
to Scotland as soldiers and settlers, traders and artisans, diplomats,
and dynasts, over a period of several centuries. Several of Scotland’s
major families – the Flemings, Murrays, Sutherlands, Lindsays, and
Douglases for instance – claim elite Flemish roots, while many other
families can trace their ties to Flemish people who arrived as
craftspeople, mercenaries, and religiously persecuted émigrés.
In this interview, James Blake Wiener speaks to Doctor Alexander Fleming
and Professor Roger Mason, authors of
Scotland and the Flemish People in order to learn more about the
many ways the Flemish shaped Scotland’s medieval and early modern
history.
JBW: How and why did medieval Flemish and their relationship with
Scotland catch your attention?
AF and RM: Very little research has been undertaken on the relationship
between Flanders and Scotland. What published research has been done
took place a number of years ago (in the 1930s and the 1980s), and some
academics have questioned its methodology and conclusions. Moreover,
current textbooks on Scottish history make scant reference to the
Flemish influence on Scotland in the medieval period, and there was a
suspicion that the role of these immigrants has been understated. Hence,
we felt that there was a need to review the evidence surrounding the
relationship between Flanders and Scotland.
JBW: What were the major factors that led the Flemish to migrate to
Scotland in medieval and early modern times? Does one factor stand out
more than any of the others?
FROM THE 12TH CENTURY, SCOTLAND BENEFITED FROM THE MIGRATION OF FLEMISH
CRAFTSPEOPLE & FARMERS, AS WELL AS ELITE FIGHTING MEN & MERCHANTS.
AF and RM: Flemish knights took part in the invasion of Britain in 1066.
They were initially given land in England as a reward for participating
in the invasion. On becoming King of Scots in 1124 David I of Scotland
brought numbers of Flemish up from England to assist him in the economic
and social transformation of the country. From the 12th century onwards
Scotland benefited from the migration and settlement of Flemish
craftspeople and farmers, as well as elite fighting men and merchants.
The burgeoning wool trade with Flanders had brought to Scotland the
merchants as well as other specialists associated with sheep rearing.
In the 16th century, the Spanish response to the Protestant Reformation
in Continental Europe led to the persecution of Protestants in the Low
Countries. Many Protestants, some from Flanders, therefore, fled to
England, and some may have moved up to Scotland. This was likely a much
less significant source of migrants than the other two aforementioned,
which were at root stimulated by economic factors – a quest for land in
the case of the early knights and economic opportunity in the case of
merchants and craftsmen.
JBW: I suspect that many readers tend to think of the Flemish by virtue
of their commanding role in the economic, social, and cultural affairs
in late-medieval Europe – during the era of the Burgundian State – and
later when Antwerp emerged as the capital of early-16th century European
finance. Why is public awareness of their impact minimal in Scotland and
elsewhere? I suspect the Flemish themselves know relatively little about
their role in early Scottish history as well.
AF and RM: As noted above, much of the existing literature relating to
the Flemish involvement in Scotland is very dated and has, in any case,
not been easily accessible to the public at large. Furthermore, there
had not been a comprehensive, readable history prepared on the topic up
until now. Putting that aside, our research found that the Flemish
influence was brought to bear over a quite extensive period – perhaps in
the order of 600 years – so while they had an impact of some
significance, elements of which can still be seen today, it was not
easily discernible year upon year. The Flemish migrants were very
adaptable and quickly became absorbed into Scottish society, a process
of 'Scotticisation', as we call it in our book. This process also has
tended to shroud the Flemish influence on Scotland.
JBW: I have read previously that it was Flemish or Dutch émigrées who
brought the game of golf to Scotland, however, I had no idea that the
Flemish left their imprint with regard to medieval and early modern
urban planning. Could you tell us more about their contributions
therein?
AF and RM: This question is best addressed by citing specific examples.
A notable Flemish immigrant was Mainard the Fleming, who was brought to
Scotland by David I in the mid-12th century. He was initially placed in
Berwick-upon-Tweed, where he was credited with laying out its plan. He
was then moved to St. Andrews, an ancient religious site on Scotland’s
Fife coast, that was emerging as the ecclesiastical capital of the
country. Mainard was then credited with developing and implementing a
master plan for St. Andrews. This east-west, wedge-shaped plan became
the town's defining characteristic and remains so to this day.
Our book also sets out the Flemish architectural influence on a number
of Scottish churches. Furthermore, in certain parts of Scotland, and
most notably in a number of Fife villages bordering the Forth River,
some domestic architecture has distinct Flemish/Dutch features. Such
features are 'crow stepped' gables and roofing of red and gray clay
pantiles.
JBW: Were there any periods of pervasive discrimination against Flemish
in Scotland? Or did the Scots see the Flemish as desirable migrants
because of their craftsmanship and capital?
AF and RM: This is a difficult question to answer. Some of the early
Flemings brought into Scotland by David I may have been used to pacify
parts of the country, the presumption being that their presence may not
have been totally welcome by the inhabitants in these areas. However,
what evidence there is points to the Flemish being well-received and not
the object of discrimination.
THE FLEMISH MERCHANTS & CRAFTSPEOPLE WERE HIGHLY REGARDED BY THE SCOTS.
The Flemish merchants and craftsmen were highly regarded by the Scots.
The former helped to stimulate the wool trade between Scotland and
Flanders, thus leading to significant economic benefit. The latter, the
craftspeople – notably the weavers – were held in high regard, and in
the late 16th century, the Scottish government even provided incentives
to bring Flemish weavers to Scotland to provide what we today would
describe as 'technical assistance'. Those who chose to remain in
Scotland were absorbed seamlessly into Scottish life with no evidence of
discrimination.
JBW: Did the Scots not form émigré communities in Flanders and Holland,
too? Especially after the marriage of James II of Scotland and Mary of
Guelders, I imagine there was a great uptick in traffic between Scotland
and Flanders.
AF and RM: Given that much of Scottish wool exports went through the
Flanders port of Bruges it is not perhaps surprising that a community of
Scots sprung up in that town, oiling the wheels of trade. There is
evidence that this community also had its own place of worship. We are
fortunate that the ledger of the late 15th-century Scottish merchant,
Andrew Halyburton, has survived. Largely based in Middelburg, he had
extensive links with Bruges and Antwerp and acted as a factor for the
Scottish elite, sourcing and supplying the luxury goods that Flanders
was famed for. Halyburton married Cornelia Bening, the daughter of the
Scotto-Flemish artist and illuminator Alexander Bening, who had close
family and professional links with Hugo van der Goes and the
Bruges-Ghent artistic community. Van der Goes’ famed Trinity Altarpiece
(now in the Scottish National Gallery) was a product of these
interconnections.
JBW: While it may be an exaggeration to say that up to a third of the
current Scottish population has Flemish ancestors, it is undoubtedly
true that the medieval and early modern contributions of the Flemish to
Scotland are profound. In your own words then, why is it important that
we acknowledge their impact and legacy?
AF or RM: There is undoubtedly a significant number of Scottish people
whose families have their roots in medieval Flanders. Many will not be
aware of this fact, so one of the goals of the Scotland and the Flemish
People project, and the book of the same name, was to raise awareness on
this topic among the population at large. It is important that we
acknowledge the impact and legacy of the Flemish in Scotland as this has
not been properly appreciated in existing works of Scottish history.
In our book, we have sought to rectify this deficiency. The Flemish who
came to Scotland between the 12th and 16th centuries have left indelible
traces on the Scottish landscape, its language and culture, as well as
its social and political identity. It has been important that, for the
first time, the facts pertaining to the long relationship between
Flanders and Scotland have been examined, assessed, and set out in a
form that is accessible to historians and the public at large.
JBW: Many thanks for speaking with us about an intriguing subject – I
wish you both many happy adventures in research.
Alexander Fleming is an economist who held positions at the Bank of
England, University of St Andrews and the World Bank. He was awarded an
Honorary LLD from the University of St Andrews in 1999.
Roger Mason is Emeritus Professor of Scottish History at the University
of St. Andrews. He has published widely in the field of late medieval
and early modern Scottish political thought and culture.
Who Made the Scottish
People... The Flemish
With reference to the
introduction of this serge into Tillicoultry, Mr. Watson says: 'What led
to its being located here can only be conjectured. David I. received
into his dominions a number of Flemish refugees, driven in 1155 from
England by Henry II., whose policy thus contrasted unfavourably with
that of Henry I., who had gladly given encouragement to the honest
Flemish artisans to settle in his realms. It is not improbable that the
woollen manufacture was introduced into this part of Scotland by some of
these Flemish refugees. Amongst the natural advantages in its favour may
be reckoned the supply of wool which was obtained from the pastoral
lands of the Ochils. When this supply was insufficient, it was not
uncommon for the guidwife to go to Edinburgh for a stone of wool, which
she carried home on her shoulders, and afterwards spun into yarn in the
intervals of her household duties.
How Flemish Dutch Changed
Scotland
By Ben Llywelyn
Scotland
and the Flemish People' [External Link]
About this Project: Some estimates suggest that up to a third of the
current Scottish population may have had Flemish ancestors. While this
is almost certainly an exaggeration, many Flemish emigrés did settle in
Scotland over a 600 year period between the 11th and 17th centuries.
Many shed their continental sounding names to take on the name Fleming
or its variants. Others took on different names that give little clue as
to their country or region of origin. As the Flemish left Flanders over
a relatively long time period they were absorbed into Scottish society
gradually. So while the Flemish may well be one of Scotland’s largest
immigrant groups the question of why they came, their significance in
Scottish history, and their broader impact on the economy, society and
culture of their adopted homeland has never been examined in detail. The
overall aim of the Project is to provide an accessible overview of the
impact of the Flemish people on Scotland and the historical interactions
between Scotland and Flanders (the Low Countries or modern-day Belgium).
Combining genealogical and historical research, the project will
reassess the settlement of Flemings in Scotland – their distribution and
local impact – as well as reviewing the role of the Flemish in the broad
sweep of Scottish history. The project has been made possible by
generous grants from the P F Charitable Trust, the Wyfold Charitable
Trust, the Government of Flanders and the support of Alex and Susan
Fleming. The project is conducted through the Institute of Scottish
Historical Research at the University of St Andrews. For further
details, please contact Professor Roger Mason.
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