The Earl of Errol
Encyclopedia
The Earl of Errol is Child ballad 231, existing in several variants.
In various combinations, though always in the order:
In one variant, where she had fled, her sister angrily declares that she would not have shamed her lord like that.
In most, however, the earl takes a mistress (often named Peggy or Meggie), and she bears him a son ninth months later. If the bride had not fled, he sends her back to her father.
, and the bride, Catherine Carnegie, second daughter of James, 2nd Earl of Southesk
. They married on January 7, 1658, but were childless. A court case was brought about their marriage—if it went unconsummated, the dowry was not due—but the details have been lost.
Synopsis
The earl marries; the bride, if named, is Kate; some variants mention the agreement about her dowry.In various combinations, though always in the order:
- a rumor starts that he was unable to consummate the marriage;
- the bride declares that her clothing still fits as before (she is not becoming plumper, owing to pregnancy);
- a man tells her that her father is selling land to pay her dowryDowryA dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
, and she declares there is no need; - she flees him, to go to law and have the marriage set aside.
In one variant, where she had fled, her sister angrily declares that she would not have shamed her lord like that.
In most, however, the earl takes a mistress (often named Peggy or Meggie), and she bears him a son ninth months later. If the bride had not fled, he sends her back to her father.
Commentary
The earl in question appears to be Gilbert Hay, 11th Earl of ErrollEarl of Erroll
The Earl of Erroll is an ancient title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1453 for Sir William Hay.The subsidiary titles held by the Earl of Erroll are Lord Hay and Lord Slains , both in the Peerage of Scotland. The Earls of Erroll also hold the hereditary office of Lord High Constable...
, and the bride, Catherine Carnegie, second daughter of James, 2nd Earl of Southesk
Earl of Southesk
Earl of Southesk is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1633 for Sir David Carnegie, an Extraordinary Lord of Session. He had already been created Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird in 1616 and was made Lord Carnegie, of Kinnaird and Leuchards, at the same time he was given the Earldom....
. They married on January 7, 1658, but were childless. A court case was brought about their marriage—if it went unconsummated, the dowry was not due—but the details have been lost.