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Is Miss Gordon of Gight in Celtic Twilight a real person Is there any story about her and the song?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
I've just googled that song because i wanted to know the same and found the following information at http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/MISSG_MISSJO.htm
MISS G. GORDON--BANFF. Scottish, Reel. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AB.
Composed by William Marshall (1748-1833). Miss Gordon lived at Banff Castle, actually a mansion house built by Lord Deskford to replace the ancient Banff Castle demolished in 1820
(Moyra Cowie, The Life and Times of William Marshall, 1999). Marshall, Fiddlecase Edition, 1978; 1822 Collection, pg. 12. The above is the wrong tune. Scroll further down the page at http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/MISSG_MISSJO.htm and you will find this (and more): MISS GORDON OF GIGHT. Scottish, Reel. C Minor. Standard tuning. AAB. Composed by Issac Cooper of Banff (1754? - 1820) around 1790, dedicated to Byron's mother, a Huntly-Gordon (The Bog of Gight is the site of Gordon Castle). Cooper was a skilled musician and excellent composer. He advertised himself as a teacher of "The Harpsichord, The Violin, The Violincella, The Psaltery, The Clarionet, The Pipe and Taberer, The German Flute, The Scots Flute, The Fife in the Regimental Stile, The Hautboy, The Irish Organ Pipe…And the Guitar, after a new method of fingering…" Catharine Gordon, of Gight, Aberdeenshire, was a rich heiress of modest fortune, but "her unattractive looks and awkward figure had kept her without offers of marriage" (Laura Carter Holloway, The Mothers of Great Men and Women, 1883). She met Mad Jack Byron, a widowed Life Guardsman, at the fashionable watering place of Bath, and married him in Scotland in March, 1786. However, she soon found that Mad Jack was an unprincipled and dissipated husband deeply in debt, and had only married her for her money, which he ran through in just a few short years (save for £3,000 which the guardians of her estate managed to secure). Catharine led a deeply unhappy life, characterized by bleak moods and violent temper outbursts.
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∙ 14y ago
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When was George Gordon of Gight born?
George Gordon of Gight was born in 1741.
When did George Gordon of Gight die?
George Gordon of Gight died in 1779.
What does 'Lord Byron' mean?
The name 'Lord Byron' means noble standing to the Byron family line. The Byron family line originated in the northern French region of Normandy. Descendants of the original line relocated to England. It was family member Sir John Byron who laid the groundwork for the subsequent title by his ownership of the Newstead lands and priory of Nottinghamshire, in 1540. His great-grandson John Byron became the 1st Baron Byron in 1643. He died childless, thereby passing the title of 2nd Baron Byron to his brother Richard Byron. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Barons Byron were direct descendants of the 2nd. But William, 5th Baron Byron outlived both his son and his grandson. The title of 6th Baron Byron thereby passed to William's nephew, poet George Gordon [January 22, 1788-April 19, 1824]. The poet's father was a Byron. But the poet's mother insisted upon naming her son after her own grandfather, George Gordon. For her grandfather descended from Sir William Gordon of Gight, a grandson of King James I of Scotland [December 10, 1394-February 21, 1437].
What does Byron mean?
The name 'Lord Byron' means noble standing to the Byron family line. The Byron family line originated in the northern French region of Normandy. Descendants of the original line relocated to England. It was family member Sir John Byron who laid the groundwork for the subsequent title by his ownership of the Newstead lands and priory of Nottinghamshire, in 1540. His great-grandson John Byron became the 1st Baron Byron in 1643. He died childless, thereby passing the title of 2nd Baron Byron to his brother Richard Byron. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Barons Byron were direct descendants of the 2nd. But William, 5th Baron Byron outlived both his son and his grandson. The title of 6th Baron Byron thereby passed to William's nephew, poet George Gordon [January 22, 1788-April 19, 1824]. The poet's father was a Byron. But the poet's mother insisted upon naming her son after her own grandfather, George Gordon. For her grandfather descended from Sir William Gordon of Gight, a grandson of King James I of Scotland [December 10, 1394-February 21, 1437].
What is the phobia for the fear of being stalked?
Lupislipophobia- The fear of being chased by timber wolves around a kitchen table on a newly waxed floor while wearing socks. That's the closest I could find. Sorry.
In what part of this nation Scotland did gold originated?
It is a little-known fact that the area surrounding the Buck of the Cabrach was celebrated in early historical times and up to the late Medieval as a source for gold. Kings of Picts used the resource centred on what is now called Rhynie in Aberdeenshire and much gold used for the crown jewels, prior to Robert Bruce's takeover, was Aberdeenshire gold. Pearls were also sourced in Aberdeenshire from the River Ythan and the pearl in the Crown of Scotland (now in disuse) is from the Ythan (Buchan, outlet into North Sea north of Dee and Don). Kings prior to the Scots takeover AD843 had landholdings in Cé (present Aberdeenshire) and it remained one of the richest areas for royal hunting (Royal Forests of Derley, Deer, Gight, Garioch, Insch, Forgue, Cabrach, Letter (Ladder), Mar, Stocket and Udny & Dudwick); farming and artisan crafts. The most influential 'Celtic' earl before Robert I Bruce was John Comyn Earl of Buchan, descended through marriage from Marjorie, last of Pictish princesses of Derlei (Derley, Fyvie); and coincidentally nephew of John Balliol who was himself descended from the Pictish royal line through his mother Devorguila. When Bruce murdered John Comyn in Dunfermline in 1306 in order to secure Comyn lands and thereby claim Scots throne through wealth, Comyns rose as a tribe to fight back. In so doing the battles of Barra (1308, sometimes called Inverurie) and Huntly (1307) preceded the devastation of Buchan - the 'Herschip o' Buchan' of John Barbour's heroic poem 'The Brus'. Royal forests from the Ythan to the Morayshire coast were laid waste and have never been replanted to any degree. The pine of these forests were used by the self-proclaimed King as firebrands to pursue the Comyns back to coastal Buchan and annihilation. Comyns storehouse of gold (from Rhynie) was plundered and used to buy Bruce the kingdom of Scots. Bannockburn was merely a 'follow-up' battle to ensure Scotland's independence from England. It was the nail in the coffin of the Buchan Pictish line and Aberdeenshire from that time on was no longer used, except in nominal annual visits or 'progresses' by the Royal House. Fyvie and other castle strongholds of importance for previous royal patronage became private houses of the nobility which supported Bruce and his descendants. Rhynie gold and Ythan pearls descended into oblivion.copyright 2009 Devorguila
The vision of mirza summary?
WHEN 2 I was at Grand Cairo, I picked up several oriental manuscripts, which I have still by me. Among others I met with one entitled "The Visions of Mirza," which I have read over with great pleasure. I intend to give it to the public when I have no other entertainment for them, and shall begin with the first vision, which I have translated word for word, as follows:- 1 "On the fifth day of the moon, which according to the custom of my forefathers I always keep holy, after having washed myself and offered up my morning devotions, I ascended the high hills of Baghdad, in order to pass the rest of the day in meditation and prayer. As I was here airing myself on the tops of the mountains, I fell into a profound contemplation on the vanity of human life, and passing from one thought to another, 'Surely,' said I, 'man is but a shadow, and life a dream.' Whilst I was thus musing, I cast my eyes towards the summit of a rock that was not far from me, where I discovered one in the habit of a shepherd, with a little musical instrument in his hand. As I looked upon him he applied it to his lips, and began to play upon it. The sound of it was exceeding sweet, and wrought into a variety of tunes that were inexpressibly melodious and altogether different from anything I had ever heard. They put me in mind of those heavenly airs that are played to the departed souls of good men upon their first arrival in Paradise, to wear out the impressions of the last agonies, and qualify them for the pleasures of that happy place. My heart melted away in secret raptures. 2 "I had often been told that the rock before me was the haunt of a genius; and that several had been entertained with music who had passed by it, but never heard that the musician had before made himself visible. When he had raised my thoughts by those transporting airs which he played, to taste the pleasures of his conversation, as I looked upon him like one astonished, he beckoned to me, and by the waving of his hand directed me to approach the place where he sat. I drew near with that reverence which is due to a superior nature; and as my heart was entirely subdued by the captivating strains I had heard, I fell down at his feet and wept. The genius smiled upon me with a look of compassion and affability that familiarized him to my imagination, and at once dispelled all the fears and apprehensions with which I approached him. He lifted me from the ground, and taking me by the hand, 'Mirza,' said he, 'I have heard thee in thy soliloquies; follow me.' 3 "He then led me to the highest pinnacle of the rock, and placing me on the top of it, 'Cast thy eyes eastward,' said he 'and tell me what thou seest.' 'I see,' said I, 'a huge valley and a prodigious tide of water rolling through it.' 'The valley that thou seest,' said he, 'is the Vale of Misery, and the tide of water that thou seest is part of the great tide of eternity.' What is the reason,' said I, 'that the tide I see rises out of a thick mist at one end, and again loses itself in a thick mist at the other?' 'What thou seest,' said he, 'is that portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun, and reaching from the beginning of the world to its consummation. Examine now,' said he, 'this sea that is thus bounded by darkness at both ends, and tell me what thou discoverest in it.' 'I see a bridge,' said I, 'standing in the midst of the tide.' 'The bridge thou seest,' said he, 'is human life; consider it attentively.' Upon a more leisurely survey of it I found that it consisted of more than threescore and ten entire arches, with several broken arches, which, added to those that were entire, made up the number to about a hundred. As I was counting the arches, the genius told me that this bridge consisted at first of a thousand arches; but that a great flood swept away the rest, and left the bridge in the ruinous condition I now beheld it. 'But tell me further,' said he, 'what thou discoverest on it.' 'I see multitudes of people passing over it,' said I, 'and a black cloud hanging on each end of it.' As I looked more attentively, I saw several of the passengers dropping through the bridge into the great tide that flowed underneath it; and upon further examination, perceived there were innumerable trap-doors that lay concealed in the bridge, which the passengers no sooner trod upon, but they fell through them into the tide and immediately disappeared. These hidden pitfalls were set very thick at the entrance of the bridge, so that throngs of people no sooner broke through the cloud, but many of them fell into them. They grew thinner towards the middle, but multiplied and lay closer together towards the end of the arches that were entire. 4 "There were indeed some persons, but their number was very small, that continued a kind of hobbling march on the broken arches, but fell through one after another, being quite tired and spent with so long a walk. 5 "I passed some time in the contemplation of this wonderful structure, and the great variety of objects which it presented. My heart was filled with a deep melancholy to see several dropping unexpectedly in the midst of mirth and jollity, and catching at everything that stood by them to save themselves. Some were looking up towards the heavens in a thoughtful posture, and in the midst of a speculation stumbled and fell out of sight. Multitudes were very busy in the pursuit of bubbles that glittered in their eyes and danced before them, but often when they thought themselves within the reach of them their footing failed and down they sunk. In this confusion of objects, I observed some with scimitars in their hands, and others with urinals, who ran to and fro upon the bridge, thrusting several persons on trap-doors which did not seem to lie in their way, and which they might have escaped had they not been thus forced upon them. 6 "The genius, seeing me indulge myself on this melancholy prospect, told me I had dwelt long enough upon it, "Take thine eyes off the bridge,' said he, 'and tell me if thou seest anything thou dost not comprehend.' Upon looking up, 'What mean,' said I, 'those great flights of birds that are perpetually hovering about the bridge, and settling up it from time to time? I see vultures, harpies, ravens, cormorants, and among many other feathered creatures several little winged boys that perch in great numbers upon the middle arches,' 'These,' said the genius, 'are Envy, Avarice, Superstition, Despair, Love, with the like cares and passions that infest human life.' 7 "I here fetched a deep sigh. 'Alas,' said I, 'man was made in vain: how is he given away to misery and mortality, tortured in life, and swallowed up in death! The genius being moved with compassion towards me, bid me quit so uncomfortable a prospect. 'Look no more,' said he, 'on man in the first stage of his existence, in his setting out for eternity; but cast thine eye on that thick mist into which the tide bears the several generations of mortals that fall into it.' I directed my sight as I was ordered, and (whether or no the good genius strengthened it with any supernatural force, or dissipated part of the mist that was before too thick for eye to penetrate) I saw the valley opening at the farther end, and spreading forth into an immense ocean that had a huge rock of adamant running through the midst of it, and dividing it into two equal parts. The clouds still rested on one half of it, insomuch that I could discover nothing in it; but the other appeared to me a vast ocean planted with innumerable islands, that were covered with fruits and flowers, and interwoven with a thousand little shining seas that ran among them. I could see persons dressed in glorious habits with garlands upon their heads, passing among the trees, lying down by the sides of fountains, or resting on beds of flowers; and could hear a confused harmony of singing birds, falling waters, human voices, and musical instruments. Gladness grew in me upon the discovery of so delightful a scene. I wished for the wings of an eagle that I might fly away to those happy seats; but the genius told me there was no passage to them except through the gates of death that I saw opening every moment upon the bridge. 'The islands,' said he, 'that lie so fresh and green before thee, and with which the whole face of the ocean appears spotted as far as thou canst see, are more in number than the sands on the seashore; there are myriads of islands behind those which thou here discoverest, reaching farther than thine eye, or even thine imagination can extend itself. These are the mansions of good men after death, who, according to the degree and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, are distributed amount these several islands, which abound with pleasures of different kinds and degrees suitable to the relishes and perfections of those who are settled in them; every island is a paradise accommodated to its respective inhabitants. Are not these, O Mirza, habitations worth contending for? Does life appear miserable that gives thee opportunities of earning such a reward? Is death to be feared that will convey thee to so happy an existence? Think not man was made in vain who has such an eternity reserved for him.' I gazed with inexpressible pleasure on these happy islands. At length, said I, 'Show me now, I beseech thee, the secrets that lie hid under those dark clouds which cover the ocean on the other side of the rock of adamant.' The genius making me no answer, I turned me about to address myself to him a second time, but I found that he had left me; I then turned again to the vision which I had been so long contemplating; but, instead of the rolling tide, the arched bridge, and the happy islands, I saw nothing but the long valley of Baghdad, with oxen, sheep, and camels grazing upon the sides of it."The end of the first vision of Mirza.
