Mining away at Scotland's turbulent past, Nigel Tranter has lighted on the career of Thomas Learmouth of Ercildoune, the "True Thomas" of legend. The story can be fleshed out and rationalized, and Mr. Tranter has performed his entertainment duties quite competently. Thus we are carried through the reign of Alexander III of Scotland and given some quite likely motivations of the Sots nobility forced to deal with the problem of Edward I, a very forceful Plantagenet. Edward's friends need not read this book, as he has from a Scots' point of view, much to be forgiven for. Those who like this sort of thing, will be pleased by this book. ( )

He was Thomas Learmonth of Ercildoune, a minor laird who was the vassal and squire of Patrick, 7th Earl of Dunbar, a situation he was content with. He kept paper, quill, and ink with him to scribble down anything that came to him though the only writing he really wanted to complete was a translation of Tristan & Isolde into the Scottish language. His superiors wanted more of his prophecies rather than his poetry, especially if he foretold of positive events for Scotland, his monarch , or the Earl. Not much is known of Thomas, other than he he had a small holding with a son, Thomas the Younger who signed Ercildoune over to the church while his father joined the church before the Scottish Wars for Independence. Tranter's speculations make for a good story though. ( )