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20<br />
The medieval makars<br />
In the programme we heard about the Scots writers of the medieval period. They were known as<br />
makars (makers) and were highly respected in Scotland. They were supported by King James IV of<br />
Scotland.<br />
Here is an example of their work – an extract from one of John Barbour’s poems. He was writing about<br />
a great Scots hero, Robert the Bruce, who fought against the English. He wanted Scotland to remain an<br />
independent nation. This poem was written about sixty years after the Battle of Bannockburn.<br />
The Bruce was written around 1375 and is the earliest long poem, an epic, to have survived<br />
in Scots.<br />
At that time, when the land was owned by rich lords and dynasties, this poem speaks for the ordinary<br />
folk of Scotland. It praises individual freedom above everything else.<br />
Writing<br />
Try to translate the poem into English or into modern Scots.<br />
Talking<br />
A CTIVITY SHEET 7<br />
A! fredome is a noble thing,<br />
Fredome mays man to haiff liking, makes; choice<br />
Fredome all solace to man giffis,<br />
He leyvs at es that frely levys. ease<br />
A noble hart may haiff nane es<br />
Na ellys nocht that may him ples<br />
Gyff fredome failye, for fre liking fail; free choice<br />
Is yharnyt our all other thing. yearned for over<br />
from John Barbour’s The Bruce<br />
Discuss in class what you think this piece of writing is saying. Do you agree? Is freedom more<br />
important than anything else or would you rather be very rich but not free?<br />
You might want to talk about the Royal Family, film stars, football players or any other famous<br />
people. Are they free? What sort of restrictions do you think they have?<br />
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