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Claymore and Kilt: Tales of Scottish Kings and Castles
Sorche Nic Leodhas, distinguished author of such favorites as 1966 Caldecott Medal Winner, Always Room For One More, illustrated by Nonny Hogrogrian, and Newbery Runner-up, Thistle and Thyme, follows these great successes with a delightful collection of stirring historial tales about Scottish kings, lairds, and chieftains from the time of King Fingal in 211 A.D. to King James VI in 1611 A.D.
Among the vivid characters peopling the tales are Kinmont Wullie, a rogue about whom it was said, "the Highlands never, before or after, bred a man so wild"; King James V, who often put on a beggar's coat and went through the realm to check the welfare of his subjects; Thalmar, the courageous daughter of the evil chieftain Dunthelm, who put on the armor of a knight to aid men wronged by her father; and the ruthless Lachlan MacLean who, tiring of his good wife, placed her on a rock which he knew would soon be covered by the sea.
Strong through these tales of love, battle, loyalty, misdeeds, and good deeds are the Scots' unbending honor and steadfast sense of humor, colorfully captured by Sorche Nic Leodhas in her inimitable lilting style certain to charm readers for many years to come.
Among the vivid characters peopling the tales are Kinmont Wullie, a rogue about whom it was said, "the Highlands never, before or after, bred a man so wild"; King James V, who often put on a beggar's coat and went through the realm to check the welfare of his subjects; Thalmar, the courageous daughter of the evil chieftain Dunthelm, who put on the armor of a knight to aid men wronged by her father; and the ruthless Lachlan MacLean who, tiring of his good wife, placed her on a rock which he knew would soon be covered by the sea.
Strong through these tales of love, battle, loyalty, misdeeds, and good deeds are the Scots' unbending honor and steadfast sense of humor, colorfully captured by Sorche Nic Leodhas in her inimitable lilting style certain to charm readers for many years to come.
157 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1967
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About the author
Sorche Nic Leodhas
32 books12 followerspseudonym for Leclaire Alger
Sorche Nic Leodhas (1898–1969) was born LeClaire Louise Gowans in Youngstown, Ohio. After the death of her first husband, she moved to New York and attended classes at Columbia University. Several years later, she met her second husband and became LeClaire Gowans Alger. She was a longtime librarian at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she also wrote children’s books. Shortly before she retired in 1966, she began publishing Scottish folktales and other stories under the pseudonym Sorche Nic Leodhas, Gaelic for Claire, daughter of Louis. In 1963, she received a Newbery Honor for Thistle and Thyme: Tales and Legends from Scotland. Alger continued to write and publish books until her death 1969.
Sorche Nic Leodhas (1898–1969) was born LeClaire Louise Gowans in Youngstown, Ohio. After the death of her first husband, she moved to New York and attended classes at Columbia University. Several years later, she met her second husband and became LeClaire Gowans Alger. She was a longtime librarian at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she also wrote children’s books. Shortly before she retired in 1966, she began publishing Scottish folktales and other stories under the pseudonym Sorche Nic Leodhas, Gaelic for Claire, daughter of Louis. In 1963, she received a Newbery Honor for Thistle and Thyme: Tales and Legends from Scotland. Alger continued to write and publish books until her death 1969.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 8, 2013
I actually purchased this book because I saw one of Leo & Diane Dillon's gorgeous illustrations from it and wanted to see more of the same, but I was rewarded with an unexpectedly fabulous collection of well-researched historical tales, to which the illustrations are just the icing on the cake. Not only does Sorche Nic Leodhas provide detailed historical background for each of the stories, making the book very informative, but her writing style is exceedingly charming and engaging. This is a book I would have LOVED if I'd had it when I was younger. I plan to purchase the rest of her books of Scottish tales, and keep them for my own future family.
August 30, 2021
If you have Scottish heritage or are just interested in Scottish history, the introduction portion of this book is one of the best and most concise summaries of the history of Scottish rulers that I have ever read! And the stories are tons of fun as well!
January 17, 2023
This is a compendium of folklore and folk history, stories about kings and castles.
It begins with the druids, who called themselves Gaedil (stones people). Higher knowledge was their exclusive domain, and they considered it unlawful to write anything down of their history. Folk history consisted in oral form in verse and took a druid 20 years to learn. As the druids were later exterminated by the Romans, this cultural wealth was largely lost.
The book treats early lords—beginning with Fingal (if indeed historical) who ruled Argyll as Ard-righ (high chief) of the clans between Wales and the West Coast—and early saints, including Ninian and Kentigern as well as Columba.
The concept of the book is to tell us about the folktales without actually narrating the folktales. It assumes readers already know the story. We are informed about the various versions of the tales and informed of where they differ from historical fact, but some of the stories are referred to rather than told. For example, a chapter heading announces 'the riddle sent to Bruce', yet the chapter does not tell us what the riddle was. This is unsatisfactory.
Though well-written, it is not narrative enough to be a book of folklore and not sociological enough to be a book about folklore. I checked out the tales on Google, so I did learn something, but I would've preferred a more narrative approach, which wouldn't have added too many pages to the not-too-long 157-page book.
It is illustrated with beautiful curly Celtic art-nouveau line drawings.
Other books by this author treat ghosts, legends and tales from the Highlands.
It begins with the druids, who called themselves Gaedil (stones people). Higher knowledge was their exclusive domain, and they considered it unlawful to write anything down of their history. Folk history consisted in oral form in verse and took a druid 20 years to learn. As the druids were later exterminated by the Romans, this cultural wealth was largely lost.
The book treats early lords—beginning with Fingal (if indeed historical) who ruled Argyll as Ard-righ (high chief) of the clans between Wales and the West Coast—and early saints, including Ninian and Kentigern as well as Columba.
The concept of the book is to tell us about the folktales without actually narrating the folktales. It assumes readers already know the story. We are informed about the various versions of the tales and informed of where they differ from historical fact, but some of the stories are referred to rather than told. For example, a chapter heading announces 'the riddle sent to Bruce', yet the chapter does not tell us what the riddle was. This is unsatisfactory.
Though well-written, it is not narrative enough to be a book of folklore and not sociological enough to be a book about folklore. I checked out the tales on Google, so I did learn something, but I would've preferred a more narrative approach, which wouldn't have added too many pages to the not-too-long 157-page book.
It is illustrated with beautiful curly Celtic art-nouveau line drawings.
Other books by this author treat ghosts, legends and tales from the Highlands.
January 20, 2020
A really great book about legends of Scottish Kings. The forward is also fantastic in giving historical references to time each story occurs without giving away the plot of the story (which forwards often do).
May 11, 2018
Good but not as good as the other one I read by this author.
June 13, 2018
A grand collection of folk tales with some history in their too, although the lines between fact and fantasy no doubt blurred over time. Very well told with fab illustrations.
July 9, 2022
A little on the dry side at times but the historical information is spot on and the stories themselves are both entertaining & concise.
February 18, 2014
Although it is written in a very romanticized language, I still enjoyed this book a lot. Good stories, enjoyable characters. One thing I could bring up against it is that some of the best stories never made it into the actual book; the extensive introduction mentions a whole bunch of things I would have loved to read more about. On the plus side, one tale does mention Saint Margaret of Scotland, but never tells us who she is, so I only caught the reference because I am familiar with her from other sources. Still, fun read, and a nice introduction to Scottish history, especially for children.
March 12, 2014
I read this book aloud to Heather and Giselle during our study of Macbeth. We all enjoyed it. It's one of the books I'm keeping.
December 11, 2021
Though not quite as fun as the fairy and folk tales, these historically based tales are still very interesting and written in Ms. Leodhas's signature style.
May 2, 2020
A collection of Scottish folktales for telling. One that I used heavily as a storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews