Sir David Lindsay

Sir David Lindsay

Sir David Lindsay , c.1490–c.1555, Scottish poet. He was a courtier and diplomat by profession. As a writer he was a harsh satirist and moralist who directed most of his invective against the Roman Catholic Church. He never formally left the church, but his exposure of its abuses gives him a place second only to that of John Knox in bringing about the Scottish Reformation. Lindsay's verse is sometimes rich and elevated, sometimes coarsely realistic; his literary technique is frequently made secondary to satirical or didactic themes. In his Testament and Complaynt of Our Soverane Lordis Papyngo (1538) the king's parrot censures certain birds of prey—the clergy of the feathered world—for their hypocrisy and avarice. His long morality play, Ane Pleasant Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis (produced 1540), contains attacks on political abuses. Among Lindsay's other notable works are The Dreme, The Historie and Testament of Squyer Meldrum, and The Monarchie.

Bibliography: See edition of his works by D. Hamer for the Scottish Texts Society (4 vol., 1931–36, repr. 1972).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Sir David Lindsay." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Sir David Lindsay." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-LindsayD.html

"Sir David Lindsay." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-LindsayD.html

Learn more about citation styles

Lindsay of the Mount, Sir David

Lindsay of the Mount, Sir David (c.1486–1555). The most important Scottish Renaissance poet, Lindsay was extremely popular in the 16th cent. A Fife laird, from 1508 he was a courtier closely associated with the future James V (1513–42), a herald from 1530, and Lyon king-of-arms from 1542. His numerous works deal extensively with the need for good government and religious reform. In The Testament of the Papyngo (1530) Lindsay provides moral advice to James V and his court, and attacks clerical abuses. Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estatis (1552) calls for the estates to serve the commonweal during the minority of Mary, queen of Scots (1542–67). The Monarche (1554) develops earlier calls for religious reform into strong anti-papalism through a description of corruption at the papal court. Such themes make Lindsay an important source for the political, religious, and cultural issues of Renaissance and Reformation Scotland.

Roland Tanner

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN CANNON. "Lindsay of the Mount, Sir David." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN CANNON. "Lindsay of the Mount, Sir David." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-LindsayoftheMountSirDavid.html

JOHN CANNON. "Lindsay of the Mount, Sir David." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-LindsayoftheMountSirDavid.html

Learn more about citation styles

Lindsay, Sir David

Lindsay, Sir David or Sir David Lyndsay, (c.1486–1555), Scottish poet and Lyon king-of-arms; usher to Prince James (afterwards James V). His first poem, ‘The Dreme’, written in 1528, is an allegorical lament on the misgovernment of the realm, followed by a vigorous exhortation to the king. In 1529 he wrote the Complaynt to the King, in octosyllabic couplets, commenting on the improved social condition of the realm except as regards the Church. The Testament, and Complaynt, of Our Soverane Lordis Papyngo (finished 1530, printed 1538) combines advice to the king, put in the mouth of his parrot, with a warning to courtiers drawn from the examples of Scottish history. Lindsay's principal poem, Ane Pleasant Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis, a morality, was produced in 1540 before the king and court. The Historie of Squyer Meldrum (first extant edition of 1582) is a spirited verse romance on the career and exploits of a Scottish laird.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Lindsay, Sir David." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Lindsay, Sir David." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-LindsaySirDavid.html

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Lindsay, Sir David." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-LindsaySirDavid.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

'Lover of the real Australia and sane art': William Bolton MBE and the Lionel...
Magazine article from: The Australian Library Journal; 11/1/2007
Controversy over Lindsay move.
Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 1/9/1998
Aussie tour has saved the game from catastrophe; Rugby League:Lindsay...
Newspaper article from: Daily Post (Liverpool, England); 10/17/2001

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Lindsay, Sir David