Golding / Golden / Goulding et al Family History on Facebook
Scotsman Ralph Golding – not much is known about Ralph.
What can be said is that Ralph Golding made a definite impression upon the English troops at Roxburgh Bridge … back in 1333 … and when the history was rewritten back in 1797 they still remembered Ralph.
Below is an excerpt from the 1797 HISTORY OF SCOTLAND publication which is available as a free Google ebook.
NOTE: the letter ‘s’ was written as an ‘f” in 1797. So ‘foldierf’ = ‘soldiers’. A modern English text plus some amplifying information follows down below.
Book IV HISTORY OF SCOTLAND – page 23 – 1333
…seriously resisted by the troops of Balliol. While the conflict was earnestly pressed, on both sides, a brave esquire, Ralph Golding by name, stepping forward from among the Scots, fought with astonishing intrepidity, amid the thickest of the enemy, till he was thrown to the ground. From the ranks out of which he had advanced, the Regent himself, more generously gallant than became his office, was the first to fly to the relief of the bold Golding. By the hope of making so considerable a person their prisoner, the soldiers of Balliol, were called forth in a larger number, and moved to fight with redoubled ardour. None, or few of the Regent’s own soldiers rushed forward, to support or rescue him; but was at last compelled to surrender himself a prisoner; although, even then, it was not Balliol, but the King of England, whose captive he world acknowledge himself to be.
WHO/WHAT is whom or what
Balliol = Edward Balliol was a claimant to the Scottish throne, who sought support from the English King Edward III. In exchange for ceding the region of Lothian to England, Balliol was given assistance and replenished forces.
The Regent = Sir Andrew Murray was a Scottish military leader who commanded resistance forces loyal to David II of Scotland against Edward Balliol and Edward III of England during the Second War of Scottish Independence.
King of England = Edward the Third gave us the parliamentary system and ruled England for 50+ years.
Roxburgh Bridge = Gateway to Berwick-upon-Tweed where this skirmish occured. Officially called the Battle of Dornock … although the English only suffered two casualties and total combatants probably numbered less than 100.
Source: A New General History of Scotland: From the Earliest Times, to the Aera of the Abolition of the Hereditary Jurisdictions of Subjects in Scotland in the Year 1748, Volume 3, compiled by Robert Heron; January 1, 1797
You are welcome to add to or to correct this story by contacting: Bill Golden, Norfolk1956@gmail.com
BTW – I look forward to sharing your stories, photos and in-search-of quests. Contact me at the email address above.