Knights in White Satin

Beginning where I finished the last post and Gandalf the Ruppell's Griffon vulture, I am pleased to report he was found safe and well, perched on a telegraph pole at an old brickworks at Easter Jawcraig, Slamannan, Falkirk. One wonders if, during his travels, he hovered above Climate Camp at Gogar, pondering over their performance art...

As for the camp itself and the promised "Monday of action" against the Royal Bank, it seemed to pass fairly innocuously; some super-glued rebels, and some placard waving seemed to be the grand total, although there were apparently some last minute skirmishes with the authorities.

Sunday however was slightly different. The camp had previously been peaceful when, all of a sudden, a platoon of eco-warriors, all dressed in white, marched ominously towards the bank headquarters. They carried a standard above them, emblazoned with an image of the sun. Between them and their target flows the Gogarburn, no doubt fairly oozing given the recent rain. A footbridge links the two spaces and we saw a handful of police officers, perhaps caught off guard, valiantly attempting to defend the crossing point. Within a few seconds their enemy forces had broken through the cordon and rushed towards the large glass 'n steel structure, some trying in vain to smash the large windows, others dancing and whooping with delight. However, police reinforcements soon arrived to quell the disturbance.

Again recalling the story of William Wallace (see last post). A knight, landowner, rebel leader and outlaw, his main military achievements were overseeing the Scots army during the early part of it's Wars of Independence, firstly at the Battle of Stirling Bridge (the small bridge being paramount) where he defeated King Edward - the hammer of the Scots -and his army on 11th September 1297 , followed next year by the Battle of Falkirk on 22nd July, where he got thoroughly beaten (note where Gandalf was discovered). After this he bolted to France, handing over control to Robert the Bruce who, with the alleged help of the Knights Templar, routed the English forces at Bannockburn thus paving the way for Scottish independence via the Declaration of Arbroath - the model for America's own Independence Declaration. As noted in my last post, Wallace was beheaded on the "Royal Bank day of action" - 23rd August - in 1305, aged 33 or thereabouts; so sketchy are details of the man that even his birth date is unknown, most tales originate from a Royal Court entertainer and storyteller going by the name of Blind Harry .

Yesterday saw five climate change protesters appear in court. Three were accused of breach of the peace in relation to glueing incidents and chanting, whilst another faces vandalism allegations in respect of defacing litter bins. The last though is the most interesting and relates to the aforementioned bridge battle: A Martin Wallace, from France, is accused of of "assaulting Sgt Kevin Storey of Lothian and Borders Police at Gogarburn Bridge on 22 August by rubbing his head, which had nettles attached, against the policeman's arm."

cheers

Note - In my recent post The Braveheart Enigma , I first noted the prominance of this William Wallace theme, it should be noted that boxing promoter Barry Hughes' wife appeared in court last Friday, charged with various illegal activities.

BBC - protestors in court.

Video - Protestors storm RBS Headquarters - note solar standard to front of throng

Gandalf found -BBC.
wiki - Battle of Stirling Bridge.