Analysing historic writing :
a profile of Sir William Kirkcaldy circa 1568

Sir William was a loyal servant of Elizabeth I for many years. He was a friend of John Knox. Murdered the Bishop of Aberdeen and eventually became a defender of Mary Queen of Scots, and for this he was sent to the gallows in 1571.

When this writing was passed to me by David Scott, Procurator Fiscal of Aberdeen in 1986 - with a very basic request to analyse the character of the writer, the only information I was given was the fact that he was about 46 years of age at the time of writing and had been educated in Paris. From this I deduced the following:

This is a very positive, forward looking and optimistic individual. Determined to succeed at whatever he has set his mind to do; thus he is capable of meeting out harsh physical and mental judgement on those who break his code of ethics to the point of (eliminating) killing if necessary.

Although he gives the impression of being outgoing, warm and altruistic, and indeed he is all these on occasions, he will pull back from giving his wholehearted commitment to anyone or anything - in other words he is a survivor. However, he is not always successful in his attempts to change the course of events to his way of thinking, although it is not for lack of trying. To renew his enthusiasm for life's 'struggle' he will look back to the past, his background, upbringing and religion, and from these regain his morale, principles, enthusiasm and conviction. Thus "looking backwards" in this man is not regressive, but a re-kindling of the spirit to enable the progression of his ideals and beliefs.

Very versatile and adept at many things, thus he is able to cover his tracks and often fool those who oppose him. he has a penetrating and quick mind and this, together with the clever linking of both thought and action, enable him to succeed where others fail. A great strategist and tactician.

He requires the material security of wealth and/or property to keep him on an even and reasonable track as to a certain extent he measures his success by the degree of material possessions.

In relaxed circumstances he is a romantic, he loves beautiful people and object d'art, is elegant and graceful in all that he says and does. He is also, in all probability, a good musician.

Mentally he is very strong and has, until recently been exceptionally active and fit physically. One would believe that he is an expert swordsman swift, well co-ordinated and accurate. However, there is evidence of considerable physical weakness and trauma, which is still quite new, and to which he has not adjusted - although his determination and desire to succeed is still as positive as it ever was despite the fact that he is now hampered by weakened physical health.

At the time of writing : this man is very concerned by the passage of time and is frustrated in that there is still so much to achieve but that time is running out.

The writing is a mixture of Spanish and French copybooks of the fifteenth/sixteenth centuries.

Margaret White is a Founding Member of the British Institute of Graphologists who has been practising in the recruitment, outplacement and vocational guidance field for the last twenty years. Her many years experience in commerce and industry has given her an excellent understanding of what is required of candidates applying for a multitude of positions. She has many national and international corporations as her clients. A member of the Examination Board of the Institute, Margaret also teaches graphology to Membership level. Margaret can be reached by telephone/fax: 01227 479 566 or by email at: margaret.white@graphology.demon.co.uk

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