History Fun Fact January 23rd

On This Day, the 23rd of January 1570, James Stewart, not a very legitimate son of King James V of Scotland, and also Regent to his half-nephew, baby King James VI of Scotland, was assassinated.

 

What was most interesting about the assassination, was the method.

 

James Stewart, the Earl of Moray was taking a stroll down the main street in Linlithgow, you know, minding his own business, and planning to usurp the throne from his baby nephew, when James Hamilton killed him by way of bullet from a gun.

 

This was the first recorded instance of assassination by firearm in history.

 

Rumours that Lady Mondegreen was also shot and killed at the same time is a myth. It's all down to the mistranslation of a poem.

 

Ye Highlands and ye Lowlands,

Oh, where hae ye been?

They hae slain the Earl o' Moray,

And Lady Mondegreen.

 

In the original Scottish, the poem goes:

 

Ye Hielands an ye Lowlands O,

whaur hae ye been.

They hae slain the Earl o' Moray,

And lain him on the green.