Happy St. Stephen's Day!
Saint Stephen was the first martyr, and the 7th chapter of Acts in the Bible contains his story. He was probably a Greek convert to Christianity, appointed by the Apostles to distribute alms to the poor. Saul attended his trial where he gave a speech about hypocrisy. He was then stoned to death. His legacy endures, and at least two kings took his name.
One of the earliest Stephens in Scotland was Sir Stephen Loccard, who acquired land in Ayrshire in the western lowlands of Scotland in the 1100s. He built Kerelaw Castle and a town grew up around it that still exists, named Stevenston. Stephen may have been English or he may have been Flemish or Normand. Going back even further, his ancestors may have been Scandinavians, as the Norsemen settled in the northern part of France.
Here are a few photos of the ruins of Kerelaw Castle.
Saint Stephen was the first martyr, and the 7th chapter of Acts in the Bible contains his story. He was probably a Greek convert to Christianity, appointed by the Apostles to distribute alms to the poor. Saul attended his trial where he gave a speech about hypocrisy. He was then stoned to death. His legacy endures, and at least two kings took his name.
One of the earliest Stephens in Scotland was Sir Stephen Loccard, who acquired land in Ayrshire in the western lowlands of Scotland in the 1100s. He built Kerelaw Castle and a town grew up around it that still exists, named Stevenston. Stephen may have been English or he may have been Flemish or Normand. Going back even further, his ancestors may have been Scandinavians, as the Norsemen settled in the northern part of France.
Here are a few photos of the ruins of Kerelaw Castle.
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