OUR MOTTO

Trouthe and Honour, Fredom and Curtesie

The School Motto is a quote from Geoffrey Chaucer's description of the Knight in the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, which was written at the end of the 14th Century. The School has preserved the Old English spelling of the words.

Chaucer's Knight was the epitome of the code of behaviour expected of the estate of knight hood in medieval times.

The origins of the Knightly ideal lay in Pope Urban II's proclamation of the First Crusader at the Council of Clermont in 1095. He urged men to channel their strengths towards a holy cause and to become soldiers of Christ. The Pope preached that these soldiers were not only to become champions of the Church but also protectors of the weak and exemplars of moral virtue.

At The Scots School we encourage all our students, both male and female, to aspire to these ideals in every part of their lives and thus build a community which is strong and supportive and honouring to God.

Some practical implications of the school's motto are:

Trouthe

Being truthful, being true to one's word, seeking truth in everything, being true to oneself and having integrity.

Honour

Giving honour to God and to other people. Not seeking honours for oneself. Aiming for high respect, reputation, a good name, nobleness of mind , allegiance to what it right. Letting words and actions be such that they bring one a good name, and a reputation for integrity.

Fredom

Generosity of spirit. Holding dearly to the concept of not allowing people to be enslaved to any regime, habit or practice.

Curtesie

Putting the good of others before oneself. Being courteous and gracious in one's dealings with others.