I had never heard the name Bathia/Bethia until I met somebody with that name in Pittenweem. When I was last on duty in the library, I picked up a book on the New Stock table called The Castilians. As I opened it I saw the main character was called Bethia. I was intrigued so I borrowed it.
The story is about the siege of St Andrews in 1546 and is told through the lives of Bethia and her brother Will. A preacher is burned at the stake, and in revenge a group of lairds infiltrate St Andrews Castle and murder the instigator, Cardinal Beaton.
It’s a blend of fact and fiction that mentions local Fife names and locations. Action, drama and romance make this a good read. I know now that Bethia is Gaelic for the name Elizabeth and when I am in St Andrews I can imagine the scenes described in the book. It’s an easy read but a compelling one
