 Much has been written about the Pictish people of ancient Scotland, those so-called painted people as named by the Romans, yet very little has been written about them, by authors who lived during the era in which they lived. That is one thing that makes Beed's account of these people so intriguing. Who on earth is Beed, you may be asking yourself, however? Beed was an English monk born in 673 AD in the Kingdom of Northumbria. He joined the monastery early in life and finished writing his best known work in 731 AD, called the Ecclesiastical History of the English People. In this treasure trove of history, various aspects of English and British history are covered. And yes, you guessed it. He has a lot to say about the Picts. For context, the Picts appear in history from around the 3rd century to the 10th century AD. Although this is an approximate timeline, this means that Beed's 8th century work was written during the time of the Picts. Another aspect of Beed's account that is so interesting is the fact that he says that the Picts initially came from the Eurasian area known as Scythia. The Scythians existed from around the 8th century BC to the 2nd century AD, occupying a region that stretched from the Black Sea area of Eastern Europe through the Russian steppe region and into parts of Afghanistan and other Central Asian republics, reaching as far east as parts of China. The Crimea region was apparently the centre of their powerful empire at points in their history. The Greeks referred to Scythia as all lands north-east of the Black Sea, and Scythia refers to both a region and various peoples and nomadic empires that emerged from this culture. The Greek historian Herodotus said that the Scythians' name for themselves was the Scolotti. But what did Beed actually say about the Picts and Scythia? In order to capture the detail completely, I will quote him in full. Beed writes that, It is related that the Pictish race from Scythia sailed out into the ocean in a few warships and were carried by the wind beyond the furthest bounds of Britain reaching Ireland and landing on its northern shores. There they found the Irish race and asked permission to settle among them, but the requests were refused. Now Ireland is the largest island of all next to Britain and lies to the west of it, but though it is shorter than Britain to the north, yet in the south it extends far beyond the limits of the island and as far as the level of north Spain, though a great expanse of sea divides them. The Picts then came to this island, as we have said, by sea and asked for the grant of a place to settle in. The Irish answered that the island would not hold them both, but said they. We can give you some good advice as to what to do. We know of another island not far from our own, in an easterly direction, which we often see in the distance on a clear day. If you will go there, you can make a settlement for yourselves, but if anyone resists you, make use of our help. And so the Picts went to Britain and proceeded to occupy the northern parts of the island, because the Britons had seized the southern regions. As the Picts had no wives, they asked the Irish for some. They later consented to give them women, only on condition that, in all cases of doubt, they should elect their kings from the female royal line rather than the male. And it is well known that the custom has been observed among the Picts to this day. In course of time, Britain received a third tribe in addition to the Britons and the Picts, namely the Irish. These came from Ireland and under their leader, Rude, in one lands among the Picts, either by friendly treaty or by the sword. These they still possess, they are still called Dao Rodini after this leader, Dao in their language signifying a part. Yet is there any credence to the fact that the Picts may have sailed from Scythia to settle parts of Scotland? Some interesting points to note are that Scythians were often described as having reddish hair whilst also having a tradition of tattoos, traits that are arguably similar to the Picts. Obviously, it is hard to say definitively, but what is certainly true is how often Scythia is referenced in relation to Scottish history. For instance, in the Declaration of Arbroath written in 1320, a major work in Scottish history. Scythia is once again referenced as the place where the Scots sailed from. The Declaration states, Most Holy Father, we know and from the chronicles and books of the ancients, we find that among other famous nations our own, the Scots have been graced with widespread renown. It journeyed from Greater Scythia by way of the Terranian Sea and the Pithers of Hercules and dwelt for a long course of time in Spain amongst the most savage peoples, but nowhere could it be subdued by any people, however barbarous. Thence it came, twelve hundred years after the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea to its home in the west where it still lives today. The Britons at first drove out, the Picts at utterly destroyed and even though very often, assailed by the Norwegians, the Danes and the English, it took possession of that home with major victories and untold efforts and, as the histories of old time bear witness, they have held it free of all servitude ever since. What is your thoughts on why Scythia is referenced so often when it comes to Scottish history? Please let me know in the comments below. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe and hit the bell to turn on notifications. You can also support this work through buymeacoffee.com and Patreon. All the links are in the description below. You can also support this work by using the Amazon link in the description below to buy Beed's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which is a very prominent primary source on the history of Britain. Thanks again. Speak to you next time.