Jenny Geddes

 

This one was inevitably going to be a short post purely for the fact that no one knows anything about Jenny Geddes other than she existed and threw a chair at Dean James Hannay.

The back story is that following Charles I's ascension to the throne in 1625 he had a bit of a different view point in terms of religion and so when he started implementing his views in Scotland, who hadn't really taken kindly to him anyway, there was an uproar.

In 1637 there was a riot in St Giles' as the Scottish people were protesting against the English style prayer book which Charles had decided to introduce. Dean James Hannay, trying to keep the congregation under control began reading from the new book and the legend goes that a local called Jenny Geddes stood from her stool, shouted 'DINNA SAY MASS IN MY LUG' which is the beautifully Scottish way of saying don't say mass in my ear, and threw her stool at his head.

Firstly, what a woman. That is what this post is really about, strong historical women who take no nonsense and make a stand. Secondly, clearly no one bothered to trace or punish this woman for her act, which was just, as there isn't anything else known about her.

In fact, as there is a lack of evidence this ever happened, some people claim it was fiction. Yet the story has been passed down and even immortalised in the bronze stool which now sits at St Giles. Doubt on the case has been thrown up, historically speaking, as claims were made that some apprentices dressed up in women's clothes and heckled which must have been Jenny and her friends. However we cast doubt on this as clearly men of the time couldn't stand the fact that a woman stood up and was heard, and then caused a riot.

Twas this riot and the chaos that it caused that cemented Jenny in Scotland's hall of fame as a heroine. We certainly think she was regardless of religious attitude. We're just pleased another woman has been recognised as changing history!

If anyone else knows more on this fascinating woman, then please let us know!!