I'm having some trouble finding out how a suspect would be apprehended in late 16th century Scotland. It's not like the slap the cuffs on him, right? In this specific situation, the MC runs into the captain and two watchmen. They were looking for him, but the meet more or less by accident. The MC and the captain are on good terms, socially, but the MC has to be brought in either way. The captain goes by the rules, and the MC isn't (at this point) unwilling. Would there be any restraining of sorts? And mostly, what would that entail?
Sounds like escort under guard, maybe bind the hands with rope. But that doesn't sound like it would be needed in this case
Oooh, good question. Scots Law and its proper practice is a subject in which I, by necessity, take a considerable interest, but historical details like that are something that I didn't realise that I didn't know, but want to. I may have to buy a book. Or several. I'm going to engage in a spot of furious googling, in any event.
A polite exchange of words before escorting the MC away under guard seems correct, but I don't know for sure. I'd be interested to know what Sir Reginald Pinkleton might be able to find out. I could tell you what would happen to the MC in navy of the time, but I don't think that's helpful.
This might be useful, if it comes back in stock any time soon. https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Legal-History-1000-1707-Edinburgh/dp/074869739X/ref=sr_1_16?crid=392A2Z1OR4RHJ&keywords=scottish+law+16th+century&qid=1668193001&sprefix=scottish+law+16th+century%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-16
Witchcraft. But! The captain has his reservations about this, since he's acquainted with the MC, and knows the woman naming names confessed under torture. Witchcraft may have been a severe thing at the time, but I refuse to believe that everybody was simple enough to go "yeah, flying on broomsticks. Seems legit" without asking questions. The captain is very by the book, though. It wouldn't be necessary at this point, but if that's the procedure... I'm getting the impression you and I will be talking a lot in the future. Big fan of Scotland, but I'm finding I know far too little. Also, I may at one point be looking for a beta-reader with some knowledge in the subject. Thus far, the only water involved is good old fashioned Scottish rain. Maybe the Firth of Forth painterly in the distance. But thanks. ;o)
Oh, so is your story set during James VI and I's Witch Trials? That was certainly an interesting period in our history and showed up a few flaws with the legal system that wouldn't end up being acknowledged and even partly dealt with until a century, a couple more witch panics, two deposed monarchs and a war later. Your protagonist is in for rather a rough time unless he can pull something fairly cunning out of his hat.
I've been working on a script for a series of reenactments that I do, and only yesterday included mention of those very witch trials. Ha. Funny how one comes across some odd bit of information only to encounter it again in a completely different context.
Yup. The MC is Dr. John Fian aka Cunninghame, I'm pushing and pulling timelines and locations a bit, and I need to balance out the torture elements still. The tone of the story doesn't exactly lend itself for a lot of blood and gore. I started off from a rather misinformed basis, so there's a lot of bullshitting involved to warp the story into what I need. Also, it's supposed to be funny, as we all know witch trials to be... I'm focusing more on Fian's cow-related issues. The details of which I'm guessing you might already be familiar with. That is definitely the case. Not the cunning bit. The rough times. How much of those rough times I can detail remains to be seen, considering the story is at the larval stage for now. The whole reason I ended up at these trails was because I needed a one off joke character in my first book. I'd been grabbing dealt-with-the-devil "celebrities" left and right, but I didn't manage to reference my favorite Scotland yet. In walked John Fian. Along the way, in preparation of this short(ish) story, I started to discover I was terribly ill-informed about the North Berwick trials, so I'm gonna have to include a disclaimer, I guess.
Ah, yes. Allegedly conjure a tempest in an effort to sink a fleet and drown the king and what do they remember you for, 500 years hence? Not the coup, but the coo.
A prominent author whom I first think of is Sir Walter Scott who wrote Tales of a Grandfather which goes into the History of Scotland itself. EXCELLENT BOOK Anything written by Sir Walter Scott is where you'll find your answer when it comes to Scotland
What's in a name, I suppose. I'll have a look into it, but I'm not a great reader. I always figured Scott was quite above my level.
Reading in general helps. Over time, your appreciation to read and understanding can vary. This changes in your own way of thinking and thoughts. The more you read, then your genre may shift too ie: fiction to non-fiction, biographies, memoirs etc. As for Sir Walter Scott, book titled The Tales of A Grandfather, published in 1830/40? Books published during the 1830-1900 are the Romantic Period. Earlier genres, Classical, Baroque, Renaissance etc get harder and harder to understand. Why? Writers wrote very different to what they do now Note: you may get a copy of Sr Walter Scott book titled The Sales of A Grandfather printed in 1930-50 which may be easier?
