THE HISTORY OF ABERDEEN; CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND EXTENSION OF THE CITY, FROM A REMOTE PERIOD TO THE PRESENT DAY; INCLUDING ITS Antiquities, Civil and Ecclesiastical State, AN ACCOUNT OF The See of Aberdeen, and the two Universities; WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EMINENT MEN CONNECTED BY WALTER THOM, AUTHOR OF SKETCHES ON POLITICAL ECONOMY, &c. &c. &c. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. ABERDEEN: Printed by D. Chalmers and Co. FOR ALEX. STEVENSON, BOOKSELLER, CASTLE STREET, BOOKSELLERS. 1811. PK 1 PREFACE. will not be accused of flattering great men. He has ever considered rank and fortune as only temporary distinctions, which must sink in the scale of merit, when compared with that true glory which arises from talents and virtue. In illustrating the insulated facts relative to the early history of Aberdeen, it was found expedient, in order to render them generally intelligible, to interweave them with our national history: and therefore, a great part of the first volume is occupied with those important transactions which constitute the annals of our country. It is presumed, that this method of connecting local events with general history, will not be unacceptable to the reader, as it will relieve him from the prolixity of what otherwise must have been a dry, and, in some cases, an uninteresting detail. 11 The author feels it incumbent upon him to mention his obligations to several gentlemen, whose kind communications have greatly assisted him in the execution of this work; and also, to return his warmest thanks to those who have furnished him with informa tion connected with his subject. The proprietor of the work has contributed all the assistance in his power; but he is in no respect accountable either for the facts or the sentiments it contains: and the author alone is responsible for whatever may be thought objectionable in these volumes. CONTENTS. VOLUME FIRST. The origin of cities—Inducements to settle at Aber- deen-Progress of the Romans-Tacitus-Agri- cola-Deva-Devana-Taixali -- Ptolemy's Geo- graphy - Itinerarium Antonini - Ricardus Cori- nensis-Inquiry as to the site of Devana-The Origin and Etymology of the name of Aberdeen- PAGE The first notice of the Picts-Difference of opinion relative to the Pictish nation-Origin of the name Pict-Origin of the name Caledonian— Origin of the Scotica Gentes-Scoto-Irish-Saxons-Their landing in Scotland-Northumbrians-Union of the different nations in Scotland under Kenneth M'Alpine-Landing of the Danes and Norwe- gians-Constantine-Ed, Eochoid, and Greig, or Gregory-Charter of Aberdeen-State of Learn- ing-lona-Ionian School-Gregory the Maor CHAP. III. Charter of Aberdeen by William the Lion-His resi- dence-Red Friars Bishops. Kininmonth, John, Adam-Alexander II. grants a charter to Aber- deen-Dominicans Bishops Scott, Stirline, Ran- dolf-Charter by Alexander III-Bishops Ram- say, Potton, Benham—Aberdeen a mart for fish— Baliol-Bruce-Wallace-Edward I.-Robert Bruce His residence at Aberdeen-Battle of Inve- rury, and the transactions of his reign-The English garrison of Aberdeen massacred by the citizens- Bruce's charters to Aberdeen-Bishop Cheyne- Bridge of Don-Population of Scotland-Price CHAP. V. |
