Lurid history

The article by Peter Jones (Perspective, 1 July) shows that he is devoid of common good manners, and the publishing of his piece taints The Scotsman with his lack.

At a time when voters in Scotland are already struggling to retain a level of objectivity and calm in the debate on Scotland’s future he uses a lurid description of the life of Bruce, all of which is generally known, to excite distrust of politicians.

You would be correct not to publish letters from me at this time pointing out that the English royals were notoriously brutal. The revered Elizabeth l had a printer’s thumbs cut off for printing criticism of her, and before Bruce’s time Edward I had Wallace, by his way a traitor, butchered while still alive.

I am sure you would not print letters from me pointing out the pre-Norman, Saxon, Kingdom of England only existed from Athelstan, 929, to Harold, 1066 – merely 137 years before it was wiped out by conquest, and great areas of its land laid waste by French invaders who then reigned for generations without even learning English.

Common good manners dictate that such matters are kept where they belong, in the history books, where they can be considered in context and with deliberation, not used as polemic.

Iain WD Forde

Main Street

Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire