Scottish Images May Be the "Nine Worthies"

Mystery solved? From scotlandonsunday.scotland.com: Mystery of 'second Crown Jewels' solved Published Date: 22 February 2009 By George Mair THEY are "Scotland's other Crown Jewels", a mysterious collection of wooden carvings which have baffled historians for years. But the true meaning behind the Stirling Heads has been unveiled, thanks to a 500-year-old sketch of Julius Caesar. Carved between 1530 and 1544 for the court of James V, the works depict the king, his wife, Mary of Guise, other important characters from his retinue and previous monarchs. They were once a centrepiece of the Royal Palace at Stirling Castle, but those that have survived are being kept in storage in Edinburgh while replicas are made for inclusion in a £12m restoration of the palace. The identities of many of the oak heads, however, have remained the subject of guesswork among historians. But Dr Sally Rush, who has studied the Renaissance treasures for Historic Scotland since 2003, is now convinced they include characters known since the Middle Ages as the Nine Worthies. These historical, scriptural, mythological or legendary figures were believed to personify the ideals of chivalry. They include Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great and King Arthur. Dr. Rush, senior lecturer in Glasgow University's history of art department, made the breakthrough after carrying out the study of contemporary drawings. She discovered one sketch by 16th-century German printmaker and woodcutter Hans Burgkmair, which shows Roman emperor Caesar bearing a "remarkable resemblance" to a Stirling Head carving. Historians previously speculated that it was the Greek sun god Apollo – because of the rays of sun apparently protruding from his head. Rush said that the presence of Caesar made it "very likely" that all Nine Worthies were represented. She said: "We are a long way forward in sorting out the identities of the Stirling Heads, separating the real-life people – recognisable figures in the court – from the fictional." In this kind of iconographical programme you might expect the inclusion of the Nine Worthies – great military heroes of the past, connected with ideas of chivalry and virtue. "The inclusion of the Nine Worthies would have made the palace ceiling a hall of fame. Placing James V in this both factual and fictional hall of fame is saying he is worthy of being up there alongside the Nine Worthies." It is thought there were originally more than 50 Stirling Heads – each measuring a metre across. Just 33 survive, however, along with sketches of two others – including a likeness of the English King, Henry VIII – which were destroyed by fire. The historian's breakthrough came after she studied portraits made at the same time as the carvings. She said: "My belief was that the king would not sit in front of a carver and pose for him, but that the carver was given an image of James to work to. This process would have been applied for all the heads." However, Rush said there was a strong likelihood that many of these drawings have been lost. She added: "But there is a contemporary image, by Burgkmair, showing three of the Nine Worthies, including Julius Caesar." This image of Caesar is very close to a Stirling Head previously thought to be the god Apollo. "It was thought that spikes coming from his head were rays of sun, but they are an imperial crown. He is also wearing Roman armour in the very stylised form – as depicted in Burgkmair's sketch. If you have Julius Caesar, the chances are the other eight worthies were there too." Among the Stirling Heads there are bearded men in fantastical armour and head-dresses who are probably also members. "I am confident about putting certain heads into that group. Identifying them will involve a constant trawl of other imagery." Further backing to Rush's identification of Caesar is provided by the fact that other sketches by Burgkmair, who lived from 1473 to 1531, are known to have been used for sculptures on the palace's outer walls. Rush said: "It is long recognised that two statues outside are very close to the Planetary Deities by Hans Burgkmair. If everyone is quite comfortable with Burgkmair being a source for statues, then it's logical to look at Burgkmair being a source for some of the heads as well." However, she said it was impossible to say if all Nine Worthies would be identified. She said: "Without the complete set of heads it is impossible to say how many of the Worthies are missing. There is a strong chance they either are, or were, there. That would fit if you understand the ceiling as a hall of fame placing the Stewart dynasty alongside these great role models from the past."