Athelstaneford
| Athelstaneford | |
|---|---|
 Athelstaneford Kirk | |
  Athelstaneford  Athelstaneford Location withinScotland | |
| OS grid reference | NT533772 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NORTH BERWICK |
| Postcode district | EH39 |
| Dialling code | 01620 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Athelstaneford(/ˈæθəlsteɪnfərd/) is a village inEast Lothian,Scotland. It lies 3.5 miles (about 6 km) north-east of the market town ofHaddingtonand about 28 kilometres (17 mi) east ofEdinburgh.
Battle of Athelstaneford
[edit]According to popular legend, Athelstaneford is where the originalScottish saltire- the white diagonal cross on a sky blue background - was first adopted. On the eve of a battle between rival armies ofPictsandNorthumbriansin 832AD,Saint Andrew,who was crucified on a diagonal cross, came to the Pictish KingÓengus IIin a vision promising victory. The next morning the Picts saw a white cross formed by clouds in the sky. They won the battle and attributed their victory to the blessing of Saint Andrew, adopting his form of the cross as their flag, and naming him as theirpatron saint.[1]The leader[2]of the retreating Angles, a man called Athelstan, was said to have been slain at a nearby river crossing, hence the name Athelstaneford. However, there is considerable doubt as to even the basic historic facts. The Pictish king may actually have beenÓengus Iwhile the English leader may have been the English kingÆthelstan,whoinvaded Scotland in AD 934.[3]Whatever the truth, the legend has cemented Athelstaneford's place in Scotland's history.
Attractions
[edit]
The village is home to the National Flag Heritage Centre which occupies a lectern doocot built in 1583 and rebuilt in 1996. It is at the back of the village church.[4]
Today the village is surrounded by rich farmland and has little in the way of amenities. Tourists can follow the "Saltire Trail", a road route which passes by various local landmarks and places of historical interest.
Athelstaneford Parish Kirk has a connection with the authorNigel Tranterwho was a prominent supporter of the Scottish Flag Trust. He married in the church, and in April 2008 a permanent exhibition of his memorabilia was mounted in the northtranseptof the church. Items include a copy of Nigel Tranter's old typewriter, a collection of manuscripts and books, and other personal items. The display was previously atLennoxlove House,and prior to that atAbbotsford House,the home ofSir Walter Scott.
Gilmerton House, home of theKinloch baronetsis in the parish of Athelstaneford and now operates as a private hire and exclusive use venue.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^Lawson, John Parker(1848).History of the Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse.H. Courtoy. p.169.
battle athelstaneford Andrew.
- ^Some accounts describe him only as a leader, not a king.
- ^Turnbull, Michael TRB (2014).Saint Andrew: Myth, Legend and Reality.Neil Wilson Publishing.ISBN9781906000776.
- ^"National Flag Heritage Centre".Archived fromthe originalon 23 March 2012.Retrieved18 September2011.
External links
[edit]
Media related toAthelstanefordat Wikimedia Commons- grid referenceNT534773
