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Q is for Queen Esther Faa Blythe

The Traveller Alphabet Book

QUESTIONS

Have you ever heard of Queen Esther Faa Blythe?

Do you know of any other famous Queens in Scotland?

If you could rule for a day what would you do, change or improve?

ACTIVITIES

Create your own coronet. Search the internet to get ideas.

Make your own picture of the Gypsy Queen being crowned.

ABOUT Queen Esther Faa Blythe

Her Majesty Queen Esther Faa Blythe was also known as the Gypsy Queen. She was coronated in Kelso in November 1861 when a coronet – a small crown with a Scottish thistle ornament in it – was placed on her head. It is said that she became Queen as no one else came to oppose her for the title on the day.

Prior to her crowning, she had lived a travelling style of life, touring the countryside from Coldstream with her horse and cart selling her crockery.