The Wars of Patie Crichton

Overview

It is the year 1803. Patie Crichton, a poor but honest bicker-maker from Birgham, marries the love of his life and is soon the proud father of twin girls. Married bliss is short-lived however, due to a serious but unspoken misunderstanding. Patie’s life is made unbearable and he longs for his wife, Tibby, to once again be the kind and modest lass he fell in love with.

Pondering on how he might end the misery, he takes inspiration from a ballad which tells the tale of a husband in a similar predicament who threatens to join the army and thus brings about an improvement in the relationship between him and his spouse.

It’s a strategy to which Patie gives some serious consideration.