David Lindsay - 3rd of the Mount
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Sir David Lindsay, Third of the MountSir David Lindsay of the Mount in Fife (1486-1555) was of the
line of the Lindsays of the Byres and was closely
associated with the Scottish court throughout his entire life. He was a
renaissance poet popular at the royal courts of James IV (1473-1513) and James V
(1512-1542). He was the tutor of the young King James V. He held the rank of Lord Lyon King of Arms from 1542 to
1555. The image of Sir David Lindsay, at the far right, is a drawing from a woodcut on the title page of "Lyndsays Workes, 1634". The likeness of this woodcut image to Sir David Lindsay's actual looks will never be known but at this time it is all that we have. As a satirist, Sir David Lindsay is perhaps most famous for his authorship of the play Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis (The Satire of the Three Estates) which was first performed near his home at Cupar (Fife). This performance was before the royal court at Linlithgow in 1540. This masterpiece was a political morality play. The target was contemporary society; the corruption of the King's councilors, the dishonesty of craftsmen, and the superstition and greed found in all sections of the church. The play voiced a passionate appeal for the reform of the Scottish church and state. This play has had many performances since its successful revival at the Edinburgh Festival of 1948. Sir David Lindsay was married to Janet Douglas. Although the lineage of Sir David Lindsay 3rd of the Mount has not been proven, what is believed to be his lineage is as follows.
Page Initially Posted: July 2, 2001; Updated: February 18, 2002
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