Chapter Scipio to Scotland a Fief of England of S by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Scotia Scotland; sometimes called “Scotia Minor.” The Venerable Bede tells us that Scotland was called Caledonia till A.D. 258, when it was invaded by a tribe from Ireland, and its name changed to Scotia.

Scotia Magna or Major, Ireland.

Scotland. So called, according to legend, from Scota daughter of Pharaoh. What gives this legend especial interest is, that when Edward I. laid claim to the country as a fief of England, he pleaded that Brute the British king, in the days of Eli and Samuel, had conquered it. The Scotch, in their defence, pleaded their independence in virtue of descent from Scota daughter of Pharaoh. This is not fable, but sober history.—Rymer: Fœdera, I. ii.(1703).

Scotland Yard(London). So called from a palace which stood there for the reception of the king Scotland when he came to England to pay homage to his over-lord the king of England.

Scotland a Fief of England. When Edward I. laid claim to Scotland as a fief of the English crown, his great plea was that it was awarded to Adelstan by direct miracle, and, therefore, could never be alienated. His advocates seriously read from The Life and Miracles of St. John of Beverley this extract: Adelstan went to drive back the Scotch, who had crossed the border, and, on reaching the Tyne, St. John of Beverley appeared to him, and bade him cross the river at daybreak. Adelstan obeyed, and reduced the whole kingdom to submission. On reaching Dunbar, in the return march, Adelstan prayed that some sign might be given, to testify to all ages that God had delivered the kingdom into his hands. Whereupon he was commanded to strike the basaltic rock with his sword. This did he, and the blade sank into the rock “as if it had been butter,” cleaving it asunder for “an ell or more.” As the cleft remains to the present hour, in testimony of this miracle, why, of course, cela va sans dire.—Rymer: Fœdera, I. i. 771 (1703).