Note 552 — Chapter II · SUMMARY.

The well-known tradition related by Sir Walter Scott has evident reference to this historical incident. “He (James V.) told some French nobles who were his guests on one occasion, that they should see served up, after dinner, the fruits of his country. They did not expect any very rich dessert, from the gray and cold aspect of the hills, but were agreeably surprised at the appearance of a charger full of his beautiful gold coins, called his Bonnet pieces, from his effigy struck thereon in the berret cap he usually wore. The coinage was considered to be of the brightest and purest gold ever seen in North Britain, and assuredly a more noble head and profile was never impressed on coin or medal than the likeness of James in his ordinary garb.”