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The Mark is of historical interest because of its style and authorship. It is the earliest testimony of a protestant writing in Scots, showing that the language had been adopted by the non-traditional presbyterian community at least twenty years before James VI's translation of "Gunne Mete". There are two principal extant manuscripts, one at Harvard University Library (Harvard College 4), published by J. MacQueen in 1871, and another, held by National Library of Scotland (NLS) in Edinburgh. The manuscript held by NLS was discovered hidden on a shelf deep within their building during renovations in 1913. At Harvard, the manuscript was owned by John Harvard (1562–1638) and was presented to the college in 1650; it is listed in an inventory of 1654. It may be assumed, therefore, that it belonged to the non-conformist William Laud (1573–1645) or to his brother Randal (1589–1662), who attended Emmanuel College. The manuscript at NLS is located in a miscellany of sermons and other writings, written by both Covenanters and Anglicans. The date of composition is estimated by MacQueen between 1630 and 1637/8, based on internal evidence. It is written in Scots, but in a highly refined literary Scots that was probably learned under the influence of English writers. It is therefore an important document for Scottish literature in the period between the Restoration and the political union with England in 1707. The mark consists of two parts: an historical introduction, which begins "The Greves of Grisilt" (Grisele or Griskin), written by Covenanter Rev. John Rowan, pastor at "Grisait", Croombeg, Ayrshire, between 1647-49. This is followed by Bulbring's "The afflicted Tryumphe of Christ". The manuscript at NLS ends with "The Covenants Renewed", which is also attributed to Rowan. Rowan's story is not only the introduction but also one of the themes of the poem, interwoven with references to contemporaneous political events. The widow Griskin (the Mark) was forced to flee her home after it had been taken over by English forces who had come along with invaders, presumably during the Interregnum. With her husband killed in battle defending his country, she sought refuge amongst her neighbours, but was subjected to harassment and looting by the enemy soldiers who often pressed into service young women for their amusement. Griskin eventually sought refuge in the home of Sir Walter Campbell of Cess, who hosted the invaders with great generosity, but whose court was also a base for intrigues and conspiracies against the government. Sir Walter is a traitor who incites his English allies to betray their oath to defend the loyalist cause. After Sir Walter has been disgraced by misfortunes, Griskin takes refuge in a convent where she meets a shepherd who is likewise an exile from his country. Together they form a protestant brotherhood which endangers Sir Walter's life and safety after he becomes involved in an intrigue which could bring civil war to Scotland once again. cfa1e77820
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