This story is about a Gaberlunzie Man. Now, if that sounds like good and lazy you’d be mostly right, for they were the beggars in Scotland. Unlike like beggars of our day, Gaberlunzi Men would travel about and bring news from one area to another. In exchange, they would request a place to say and a meal to eat.

Now, some thieves took advantage of this hospitality and pretended to be Gaberlunzi Men. So, during the reign of James V, Gaberlunzi men were required to wear great blue cloaks and a lead seal to distinguish them as such. This meant when you saw a man coming down the road wearing a great blue cloak you knew you were about to receive the latest news, and you had a guest for dinner.

Well, one fine morning a Gaberlunzie Man was walking down the highway when he saw a farmer with an overturned cart along the side of the road.

The Gaberlunzie Man said, "Good day, Gudeman. Had you an accident?”
"Well, not exactly," replied the farmer. "It was more the King's doing."
"The King's doing?" asked the Gaberlunzie man.
"In a way," said the farmer, " for I was on my way to market when along the road came all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. They pushed my cart off the side of the road and wouldn’t put it back together again.”
"But the cart can be repaired”, said the Gaberlunzi
“What of my eggs? They can not be put back together”, said the farmer
“Chickens will lay more eggs”, said the Gaberlunzi.
“And how am I to get the cart home? My horse has run off”, said the farmer.
“The beastie has more sense that the both of. The horse was already home in it'swarm stall," replied the Gaberlunzie. “I will pull if you will push and together we will get your cart home."

And so they did. Now this took some time meanwhile the gudewife was most distress back at the farm. The horse had come back without her master and the farmer was nowhere in sight! When about the time she was sure she had been widowed, along the road came the Gaberlunzi Man and the farmer.

“Great, a broken cart and another mouth to feed,” said the gudewife.
“Gudewife,” said the farmer. “I have bad news.”
“So you’re the one telling stories tonight, are ya?” asked gudewife.
"It was not my doing,” began the farmer. “I was on my way to market when along the road came all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. They pushed my cart off the side of the road and wouldn’t put it back together again.”
“Wist! I’ve enough of your stories and it’s long past supper.” said gudewife.
“It’s not much, porridge and spring water. But it’s all we have.” said the farmer.
“Porridge is nice, but wouldn’t chicken be much nicer?” ask the Gaberlunzi.
“I’m not going to go killing my chickens for you.” sniped gudewife.
“We need them to lay eggs” explained the farmer.
“Well then,” said the Gaberlunzi, “you can have some of my chicken.”
“You haven’t been at the old Gaberlunzi ways, have you?” asked gudewife.
“No, I assure you it was given me freely.” replied the Gaberlunzi. “And how about some wine instead of water?”
“Why, we haven’t had wine since the Laird’s daughter got married last year.” exclaimed the farmer.
“Then have some of mine.” said the Gaberlunzi.
“I should wager the king does not eat this well.” said the gudewife.
“I can assure you, he eats just as well, today.” said the Gaberlunzi.
“How do you know that?” asked gudewife.
“It is my duty to know such things. Just as I know that the king is in town this very day.” said the Gaberlunzi.
“He is? Well then you can go to the king and complain and the way his men ruined our goods.” said the gudewife.
“No, I couldn’t do that. The king is too busy to listen to a commoner like me.” said the farmer.
“Not at all. I think he should be very interested to hear your tale.” said the Gaberlunzi. “Come, I shall show you the way.”

And whether it was the encouragement of the Gaberlunzi Man, the insistence of his wife or the ample wine he had for dinner, the farmer agreed to speak to the king. Led by the Gaberlunzi Man, they found they way to a large house. But rather than knock or be presented, the Gaberlunzi Man simple opened the door and strode right in, with the farmer in tow. Suddenly all the nobles fell to their knees crying, “The King.”

“Which one is the king?” asked the farmer.
“Well if it not you, then it must be me.” said the Gaberlunzi Man as he removed his cloak revealing a fine doublet, for he indeed was the king.
“Your Majesty. I was wrong. It was not your men.” pleaded the farmer.
“Wist!” said the King. “I heard your story and you were wrong. For you see, my good nobles, this farmer was on his way to market when along the road came all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. They pushed his cart off the side of the road and wouldn’t put it back together again.
“Now I do not care who was responsible, but you shall all pay. Those who refuse will pay double. I suggest you make a game of it.”
“One a penny” said one noble.
“Two a penny” said another noble.
“Three a penny” said another noble.
“Four” said another noble.
“Five a penny” said another noble.
“Six a penny” said another noble.
“Seven a penny” said another noble.
“More” said the last noble.
“Here you are, good farmer. There should be enough to pay for the cart and the goods you have lost.” said the King giving the money to the farmer.

And with that the farmer returned home. Where, ever night the farmer and the gudewife drink a toast to King James V who loves his people more than his noble’s gold.

This is a true story of James V of Scotland. It happened in the year of our Lord, fifteen hundred and thirty one!

There is a side gate at Edinburgh Castle called the Gaberlunzie Gate by which it is said the Stuart Kings often went out in disguise to meet with their people!