Iain Laird’s Family History Project
Started in 1999, the project has gone through many stages. The time came for a major reorganisation of the site. Apologies to those who have bookmarked pages. The overall structure is similar and the change from HTML to WordPress means the page addresses have changed. The familiar articles are being restored gradually.
The content, as before, includes my Laird Family, Aberdeenshire, Caithness, Norway, Clan Sinclair, Scottish History and International.
The subsidiary site is www.laird.scot
A journey through history in the context of one family
23rd October 1295: The ‘Auld Alliance’ treaty was signed between John Balliol, King of Scots, and Philippe IV of France. It provided for mutual military help against the English and was renewed by Robert The Bruce in 1326. It was a military and diplomatic alliance but for most it brought benefits such as pay as mercenaries in France’s forces and trade which brought French wine to Scotland.
When Scotland was “North Britain”
North Britain or “N.B.” was the postal address for Scotland until the early 20th Century.
James VI and I in a proclamation on the use of Flags referred to the people of his two Kingdoms as “…our Subjects of South and North Britain” in 1606.
In 1634 Charles I issued a further proclamation on the use of Flags “…for the Ships of our Subjects of South and North Britain“.
In 1815 the Regiment better known as the Royal Scots Greys (until merged with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards) as the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards) were named as the Royal North British Dragoons.