Recently unearthed by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), a rare 19th-century love knot poem offers a touching glimpse into a bygone era.
Legal and correspondence papers recently explored by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed a fascinating Valentine’s love knot poem among historical documents held for Lindsays.
The small collection of mostly 19th century papers of James Basley, a butler to various families in Edinburgh and England, as well as his own relatives, was deposited with NRS by former firm Aitken Nairn in 1996. Aitken Nairn merged with Lindsays in 2018.
Archivist with NRS, Jocelyn Grant said: “This undated Valentine’s verse, stored among James Basley’s papers from 1830, was likely exchanged between James Weir and Janet Somerville during their courtship. Its structure resembles concrete or pattern poetry, but its prevalence in the 19th century is unclear.”
See transcript of the poem below.
According to the NRS, similar love-knot poems exist, such as an 1815 example from the Worthington Historical Society and a more ornate 1850 version in the Free Library of Philadelphia. These examples indicate that the love knot poem was a recognised romantic tradition, though its overall popularity remains uncertain.
Archival records like this poem provide a unique window into personal relationships, revealing intimate expressions of love that might otherwise be lost to history. Some records provide clear documentation, while others, like this never-ending knot poem found in the National Records of Scotland, leave unanswered questions.
You can read the full National Records of Scotland’s blog here: A lover’s knot: Valentine’s Day in the archives
The verses read:
Around the outer edge
“May you be blest with all that heaven sends
Peace long life and constant friends
O may you every moment happy be
And when far distant sometimes think on me”
In the knot
“To flourish near my native bower
to blossom near my [cot]
I cultivate a little flower
they call forget me not
Though oceans wide between us roar
though distant be our lot dearest
Though we should meet no more
sweet lass forget me not
Then haste my love and name the day
that I can call you mine
and we to church shall haste away
my charming valentine my love.”
Published 14 February 2025
