Talk:1567

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

I know this is most likely showing my ignorance, yet again. ;-)
But, trading at Sumburgh Head doesn't sound right. From a purely geographical point of view, it makes absolutely no sense. I've heard many reports of trading from Voes, Beaches, etc.. But never from such an inhospitable place as Sumburgh Head.
Does this statement need some clarification???
Robbie 13:25, 28 April 2008 (MDT)

We, James, Duke of Orkney and Hitlandt, Count Bothwell and lord [her] of Cienthun [rectius Crichtoun], Helis, Liddisdall, and great admiral of Scotland, also wedded intimate husband of Queen M[ary], notify to everyone that we arrived in a harbour called ‘upt Ness’ in Swineborchovet, situated in Hidtlandt. Because of some affairs that have to be done by ship and shipment, we have ordered and asked Gerdt Hemelingk, merchant of the city of Bremen, to sell us his ship called the Pellicaen, or to let it belong to us for a reasonable and certain coin, or for a sum of money.
He [Gerdt] made this contract with us, voluntarily and without being forced, and agreed as follows: Gerdt Hemelingk agrees with us concerning the contract and is content with our taking over his ship named above, including its equipment [rathschup] and all its accessories, as it is owned by him now, without exception, and that he signs the following contract:
[Gerdt lets his ship] for a certain period of time, that is two months, and for the sum of 50 crowns for each month, if we need it for our purposes. If it will happen or turn out that the named ship is damaged under our administration and in our services, or if we do not return it to him during the two months following the issue of this document [bewyses], we commit ourselves to satisfy Gerdt Hemelingk, and to pay him or his heirs or co-heirs a sum of 1,200 thaler for the ship, each being worth 22 Scots shillings common and current money of this kingdom [rykes]. In addition to that [we undertake pay him] the sum of 100 crowns or the corresponding value for the guns [geschutte] on the ship. We vow by our laudable honour, as it is due to a prince, to keep firmly and to preserve this contract and this grant [contract und bewillinge].
For the purpose of securing and testifying this contract [vorschryvinge] we and the named Gerdt Hemelingk sign with our own hands underneath. Done in the harbour named ‘upt Ness’ in Schwineborchovet, 15 August anno Domini 1567, in the presence and with the attendance of Dyrick Meyer, Jone Andresun in Pottinwehme, Tohmes Martens in Carreill, David Hawsenn in Anstrucht, Hinrick Schmit in Brack, and others, etc. Brian 01:01, 29 April 2008 (MDT)

Well, How do you get Sumburgh HEAD out of this ??? I must be very stupid, I need some explanation....
--Oddrun 03:31, 29 April 2008 (MDT)

Thanks for that info Brian.
Best we leave it as just Sumburgh, as it is physically impossible that there could ever have been a harbour at Sumburgh Head. Fair enough the text says 'upt Ness' in Schwineborchovet (which I take to mean Sumburgh Head). But the only conceivable harbours in the area would have been: West Voe, Pool of Virkie, and Grutness. The latter being the most obvious from that text, but that's just my guess.
This is a case where, irregardless of the possible wording of any ancient document, we just can't include text which can be seen to be 100% wrong, even by somebody who has never been to Shetland, but is just looking at a map. ;-)
Robbie 08:21, 29 April 2008 (MDT)

In the late 16th and early 17th cent 'Sumburgh Head' seems to have been used to describe several locations frequented by merchants at the extreme south of Shetland. The problem in this case is 'upt Ness'. It /might/ mean Grutness, but we can't be certain. A hundred years later German merchants didn't frequent Grutness. I think your solution is best - call it Sumburgh. Brian