History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends The Flemish | Page 70

Giles, and in the 15th century it received from a Crusader, William Preston, one of its
greatest treasures, an arm, of St Giles as a relic. At almost the same time the church
of St Giles in Bruges also received from a Crusader, Guillaume de Grauchet, an arm
of St Giles. At the time of the Reformation St Giles, Edinburgh lost the relic, but St
Giles in Bruges which had had its arm authenticated by the Pope, still has its relic.
When the Thistle Chapel was being built in Edinburgh at the beginning of this century,
an arm in a reliquary was discovered and it was sent to Bruges for comparison to see
if it could be the lost arm of St Giles. But alas, both arms were left arms so the
Edinburgh discovery could not be authentic.
The Wool Trade and Religion can thus be seen to have forged close links between
Scotland and Flanders, but the Flemings also had a great influence on the domestic
life of Scotland. When they settled here they brought their skills particularly in weaving
and agriculture. More will be said about their contribution to the textile industry in a
later section of this catalogue, for this included not just wool but linen, lace and
blankets.
In the houses of the Mediaeval period both the large halls and palaces, as well as in
the small homes of the workers the infl uence of the Flemish settlers was immediately
apparent. In furniture the wood working skills were seen in the Flemish Kist which was
very popular. The tapestry and hangings both large and small were much admired.
James V in 1 539 purchased $77-18s Tapestry Arras hangers from Flanders and in
1541 John Moffat Steward brought from Flanders furnishings for the King. Tapestries
were hung in churches and in town halls and for any ceremonial processions the
streets were decorated with them, as in the welcome to James III’s bride, Margaret of
Denmark. Margaret Tudor, coming north in 1474 to marry James IV brought
“according to Flemish fashion a kirtle of satin and a long gown of crimson satin, a
riding gown of black Ypres cloth and a cloak and hood of same”. Where the Queen led
others followed and Flemish furriers, weavers of velvet, glovers and skinners were
well patronised by the ladies and gentlemen of the court. That the fashion for things
Flemish continued can be seen in the will of Queen Mary Stuart, where each of her
four Maries received a velvet cloak of Flemish style.
In the fields of the Arts and Culture too the Flemings left their mark on Scotland. One
of the finest paintings in the National Gallery in Edinburgh is the Trinity Altarpiece of
Hugo van der Goes which was commissioned by Mary of Gueldres, wife of James II,
for the church she founded here. It now belongs to the Queen. Van der Goes was
Dean of the Guild of Painters in Ghent from 1473-1475.
Many of the Scottish Merchants trading with Flanders brought home paintings and
works of Art as did Francis Spottiswood, cloth merchant of Edinburgh who brought
“ane hingand brod of oleg cullouris fra Flanders”. He also brought a mirror or keeking
glass from the Flemish glass-works in 1521.
Sources:
MEDIEVAL LINKS. By Margaret Hilton.
http://moultray.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/flemish-influence-in-scotland/

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