fair maid of ross

[silly moo]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for learning more about this traditional story.
Google has been no help.
Thabks

[zmudge]

I think you mean the Fair Maid of Perth. In the late fourteenth century during the reign of Robert III of Scotland the King's son, the Duke of Rothsay, attempts to abduct Catherine Glover, the 'Fair Maid of Perth', daughter of an honest burgher. He is thwarted by the intervention of Henry Smith, an armourer and renowned swordsman, who hacks off the hand of Sir John Ramorny, the Duke's Master of Horse. Although backed by Catherine's father Simon, Henry Smith appears too warlike to win the hand of the mild-mannered 'Maid'. Ramorny tries and fails to avenge himself on Henry Smith, then vents his anger on Rothsay, who has dismissed him at his father's behest. Rothsay is lured to the Castle of Falkland and murdered; the crime is discovered and Ramorny promptly executed. Meanwhile, a bitter rivalry develops between Henry Smith and Conachar, his Highland apprentice, as both contend for Catherine's affections. Conachar becomes chief of Clan Quhele after the death of his father, and the King demands that the longstanding feud between Clan Quhele and Clan Chattan be resolved by mortal combat between thirty members of each clan. At the last moment one of the representatives of Clan Chattan withdraws and is replaced by Henry Smith who relishes the opportunity of confronting Conacher. At the end of a bloody battle, the two come face to face. Betrayed by his own cowardice, Conacher flees and, overcome with shame, commits suicide. Henry Smith, weary of battle and bloodshed, vows that henceforth he will only fight in Scotland's service, and is finally accepted by Catherine.

[silly moo]

Thanks for that, but I did really mean the fair maid of ross.
It's a quizmail question and I'm hopelessly stuck.

[pesky]

Buy a copy of Brewers

[zmudge]

There is no Fair Maid of Ross. The clan Ross derives its name from the old Celtic earldom of Ross and they are believed to be descended from Gilleon na h-airde, ancestor of Anrias, whose descendant Fearcher Mac-an-t-Sagairt, "Son of the Priest" helped crush a rebellion for the crown in 1215. For his services he was knighted and recognized as the Earl of Ross in 1234. This title in turn gave its possessors great authority and power in
the North of Scotland. His grandson William fought at the Battle of Bannockburn and Hugh, the 5th Earl was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. Hugh's successor, William died without male issue and succession passed through the female line which later led to a struggle for the Earldom between the Lords of the Isles and the Regent Albany. The chiefship devolved upon William Ross, 2nd of Balnagowan and for over three centuries this line remained the principal family of the clan. From the 15th to the 16th century, the Rosses were preoccupied with a feud against the Mackays of Strathnaver culminating in the Battle of Blar Ault an Charish on the River Carran in July 1486, when Alexander 6th of Balnagowan and 17 of his clan were killed. David Ross, 12th of Balnagowan fought for Charles I at Worcester and died a prisoner in London in 1653. His son David supported William and Mary and was the last of the direct line. On his death in 1711, the estate was settled on the Renfrewshire family of Ross of Hawkhead, who were of no blood relation. The Munro Rosses of Pitcalnie became the senior representatives of the old line. During the Jacobite rebellions the Rosses supported the government, but later, during the 19th century the Rosses suffered heavily through the
clearances particularly in Strathcarran in 1854.

[zmudge]

(contd)


The Rosses are distinguished by having possibly the most important American connections of any Scots clan and took prominent roles in key episodes of American history. Many other Rosses have also achieved distinction in Canada and in Prussia,
where the Counts von Ross were famous soldiers.
 

[pesky]

Who said she was a sweaty?

[boaw]

There is a Fair Maid of Ross.  The advice about Brewers is accurate

[boaw]

Brewers Dictionary

[jno]

nothing in my Brewers. Fair Maids of Norway, Perth and others, no Ross.

[pldcav]

14th edition of Brewer has it.

Centenary (12th) edition doesn't.

[oarsman]

Try Amy Browne

[gladmac]

Thanks for that oarsman.  It is nice to get a correct direct answer rather than all this beating about the bush. 

[oarsman]

I don't know why you couldn't find this on Google as I came up with the following
 
THE MAID OF ROSS



One evening in I692, Captain Browne, Confederate warden of Ross Castle, was standing among its battlements watching his sentries below and glancing every now and then at the drawbridge a little to the east.
Today, he knew, the Confederates and the Cromwellians had given battle at Knocknaclashy, County Cork, and veteran that he was he felt that the Confederates must lose. They would then retire to this very castle of Ross, the enemy at their heels, and here the Irish would make their final stand. "And then what?" Captain Browne feared, not for himself, but for his only child, Amy, who lived with him and who was in the full bloom of young womanhood now.

Known as "The Fair Maid of Ross," Amy was sought after by all the young officers of the garrison, the most persistent being a lieutenant Raymond Villiers, descendant of an old English settler and owner of considerable estates along the river Maine. Well acquainted with the young officer's circumstances, the warden favoured his attentions but for reasons best known to herself Amy remained cold and aloof. "By my faith,' thought Captain Browne, who had been considering the matter, "I'll settle the question now," and calling his gilly, he asked that Miss Amy be sent to him. 

 Etc. 
 

[silly moo]

Still doesn't come up when I google it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stevee]

Oarsman can you give a link to the sight. I can't google it. and what you have dosen't answer the question.