SAWNEY BEAN

16TH century Edinburgh,Scotland tales abound in legend of a cave dwelling clan of cannibals called the Sawney Bean Clan but are these legends based in fact or fiction? It is said above murder there is one more crime more loath worth than any other, that of eating human flesh. Way back in the 16th century there was a disturbing tale of incest,murder and cannibalism but was it based in fact or pure fiction? Back then wild creatures were not as prevalent as you may think but there was a lot of thieves, murderers such as the legendary robin hood but the tale says far from steal from the rich to give to the poor on such clan would steal to cook and eat their victims. They was known as the sawney bean clan. It is claimed the clan lived in a cave that was hidden at high tide so people couldn't find them. Legend says they survived for 20 years feasting on the flesh and bones of unsuspecting and out right unlucky travelers until one fateful raid a error was made and the victim escaped, it is said that after the man escaped a group of over 400 angry and afraid people went hunting for the cannibalistic clan with no luck until someone asked if a cave close by them had been searched yet, It had not. When they entered the cave the remains of half eaten humans and half chewed human bones could be found scattered all around by this stage the sawney bean clan had ballooned from the original mother and father to over 40 members all inbred incestuous bastard children, where mother and father was also brother and sister. All the clan members was caught and most was executed or died from hunger or disease. Sawney bean himself was executed brutally by having his penis cut off along with his hands and feet and left to bleed to death, some versions even claim the dismembered member was sown into the mans mouth. That is the gruesome tale but is it true? firstly there is no physical or historic record that proves sawney bean or a wife ever existed least of all the 40 plus children. So where did this tale of cannibal originate from? It was infarct propaganda created by the british to make the scots look like savages and somewhat animalistic and less than human. The rebellion of 1745 demanded bonnie prince charlie be given back his rightful place on the british throne. In a time of civil unrest and a Scottish coupe to separate from England created British propaganda depicting the scots as blood thirsty savages and although they looked like the brits they was not like them, why? because if one of them catches you they will eat you as a trophy against the crown. A extremely good way to incite compliance and obedience i think. Sawney was a derogatory term used by the British to describe the Scots somewhat like the term cockney is used today. The oxford dictionary terminology for sawney claims it to mean foolish simpleton and Scotsman. It appears back then and even in today's world to get people alienated against someone and to demonize them, the easiest way is to make them appear below you, worthless, monstrous and barbaric.