The Legendary Highland Swordsman You’ve Never Heard Of- Donald McBane Stories

[@bayouflats5054]

That was great. Lights,or lites, are the lungs, because literally they are very light compared to other organs. They kept it pretty simple back in the day After some thought, “ I” imagine the lungs, most probably saturated with water, transferred heat very well. Look forward to next installment. Cheers

[@marjon1703]

I've a recipe for Haggis from 1898 that explains that you must let the windpipe to hang over the side of the pot to allow blood &c., to escape from the lungs. Num, Num, Num!

[@davidchase9424]

"There can be only one." -Donald McBane

[@phill3208]

Celtic history and culture is so rich and vibrant! I wish we still lived this way!!!

[@GuyNamedSean]

Homesteading and rural life is still very similar to what it was like then.

[@ratzfatz8723]

What a story! But you actually filled a gap in my knowledge. I've been to Killiecrankie nearly 30 years ago on a trip to Scotland. It was quite busy at the carpark of the visitor center and since it was past lunchtime we decided to have a bite first and then look at the exhibition. While we were sitting in the back of my Land-Rover 2 locals that had parked besides us were gearing up in full highland gear. Kilt, plaid, ... even dagger and sword and started walking around the place. In the exhibition we learned a little about the rare plants of the place (the reason why we actualy had stopped here in the first place) and about the battle. We found out, too, that it was the aniversory of the battle, hence the two highlander guys showing off. The exhibition also told the story of the soldier leaping over the river. What they did not tell, was that he was Scottish not English. Probably didn't fit the simplified England vs Scotland sceme. Cheers from Bavaria

[@midshipman8654]

I read his book, and i remember it feeing super raw. Its this old experienced guy looking back on his young, nieve self with a mix of pride and regret, retracing the path he took to where he is today. reminded me a bit of Barry Lyndon!

[@vikingskuld]

Thanks this is great video. The stories he tells are so honest and so entertaining. The blunt honesty that hebtells them in is absolutely amazing. You need to do many more videos on this guy. I am an American with Scottish ancestry on moms side. I had a distant uncle who was a confederate guerrilla in the civil war, Champ Ferguson. This was a great video i cant wait to hear more abiut him. Thanks again

[@Fataliac]

McBane! My ancestral clan! Big thumbs up for this one guys!

[@skipinkoreaable]

Thanks for introducing him. I'll look him up a bit. I really appreciate your realistic assessment of him, his morals etc. I don't have any Scottish blood but I must say that Scotland the Brave always sent shivers up my spine back in the day at the ANZAC dawn services as a kid. It still does. I really appreciate your insight and introductions and explorations into Scottish culture and to martial arts in general.

[@0rang.utan.bananaman199]

I love McBane's treatise, the biography portion was such an interesting read.

[@dadegroot]

"Lights" (or however it might be spelt in the 18th C) refers to Lungs iirc. So they probably applied the lungs of the dog to him.

[@robertprovan9374]

I've just finished leading a workshop on Donald McBane's smallsword at my local HEMA club. His lessons only give the students actions without starting conditions or what the instructor is doing so they take a bit of work to decode but once you figure it out it's a very logical system of each lesson building on the one before. Next year I hope to do the same with his spadroon and broadsword lessons.

[@sueyoung2115]

Thank you for sharing your love for a bygone era.

[@ianhamilton4497]

New to your channel have been really enjoying your energy and passion for your subjects.Great to hear about your purchase of land to help restore it back to a more native environment.Deer fencing is a must and then even rodent control to help with the survial of new fresh seedlings.Myself here in New Zealand have been raising NZ native plants and trees at a hobby level to donate to like minded people to help here with their land restoration projects.If you can start with little areas birds will really help with seed dispersion,we have bird feeders with sugar water in cold months helps attract them in to your areas.Keep up your wonderful journey,young minds are going to save this planet.

[@cpm9747]

I was about five minutes into the video when I went a purchased a copy of this book. Very much looking forward to reading more about this legend.

[@marcdewilde518]

Same here..

[@lorifromtemeculaca426]

Such matter of fact humor... he was a warrior & a comedian! Loved it!!!

[@AwesomeFish12]

An awesome tale. I wonder how much is exaggeration and what portion is true, as once someone has told a story a few times it becomes more outlandish each time. I enjoyed this video a lot more than I thought I would. 👍

[@ianbracken7973]

Not sure if lites are lungs. Great video. History is certainly as complicated & confusing as McBane. Just as modern life.

[@JJ-JOHNSON]

That book would make an awesome movie, i would most definitely go see it, contact someone in Hollywood.

[@Pickleball_Longevity]

Crazy, someone needs to make a Movie of his life

[@steveday4797]

He stars in the Simpsons, i definitely heard of him 😂

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

I'm glad your knowledge and talents are recognized.

[@sheilam4964]

What a delightful video; entertaining, educational, historical and told with good humour. Thx for doing this and sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ballockybill2277]

"Lights" are pancreas . Love your little stove , the corrugated is perfect !!

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Akin to sitting around the campfire, telling tale tales, boys! Not to mention a wee dram or 6;) Loved it! 👍👍

[@marcdewilde518]

If that French Dragoon 's breeches were down I don't think it was for a pee Tom...Those men really were hard as nails.. Thanks for the wonderful stories! ATB from Flanders

[@manicmechanic448]

One of my favorite Scottish warriors is Mad Jack Churchill. A soldier is improperly dressed if he does not have his sword, and people are less likely to shoot at you if you smile at them. He also made the last kill, in combat, with an arrow.

[@tuerkefechi]

Well done, my friend. Donald McBane is just awesome.

[@ikopi56]

In the vernacular of the American Great Plains bison hide hunters, "lights" referred to the lungs of their targets. So, they used the lungs of young dogs to bandage his eyes after the grenade incident.

[@zmishiymishi5349]

the legend himself

[@joshellingson1062]

I am actually studying McBane's style of swordsmanship.

[@Steve-ls3yy]

Fascinating channel and terrific video of the extraordinary life of McBane. I'm was inspired to buy the book and join the Patreon supporters.

[@Ronoc_finn]

Excellent chat as always gid sir!

[@TheSoling27]

"Lights" in 18th C common tongues means LUNGS, Just thought you should know. Thanks for the videos !

[@reecedobson4740]

I loved this video! Great story’s!

[@Johnpaul-re8si]

I can’t wait for next video!!! Great history story!!

[@dkai3976]

I recently bought a copy of Donald McBane's smallsword manual after forging my own smallsword!

[@MartinMcCann-or2vy]

I know this was quite some time ago now, but lites as I believe is a term for lungs.

[@MegaNaseem786]

I miss your old videos from the beginning they were some of the 👌

[@AdianGess]

Brilliant stuff thanks great stories.

[@silvafox8371]

Very enjoyable - thank you

[@Vulpindust]

I've always heard of lights as being the lungs of the animal

[@DMAIRS]

how did i not know about this man

[@johnserl1736]

Awesome stuff gents. In his treatise, McBane proffered the shearing sword as the most useful sword he had used. I couldn't work out what that was until recently heard it was another name for a spadroon. Do you have any other information? Maybe a basket hilted spadroon?

[@jaytomioka3137]

The “Shearing sword” was another name for an early Spadroon… generally is thought to be single edged backsword of shorter and lighter construction than a broadsword, yet more robust than a small sword. Most swords were defined by their blade type rather than their hilt type… unless specifically stated. It seems to me that it would be unlikely to use a full basket hilt with a Shearing sword; perhaps a shell guard or a Sinclair hilt.

[@alexward1003]

Kinda silly but i wanted to share, i was playing a game “kingdom come: deliverance” on the hardest difficulty. The game flaunts its attempts of realism in combat and more. I had hit a wall and couldnt fight off more than 3 enemies at a time. Didnt matter if it was a group of villagers or men-at-arms, id get surrounded, thrown to the ground and get chopped to pieces. I came across mcbanes recount of his 7v1 tavern brawl. Spacing, counters, repost, find the next attacker. Severely simplified but i practiced it. Rewarded me with a strategy and confidance that brought so much more enjoyment in my game.

[@ThomasBoyd-yf5wm]

Awesome. Great video. Thanks.

[@waltwalters4144]

Legend

[@martinbreidenbach398]

Thank you for these stories ! I guess I'll get that book. Already found it on amazon. And I'll have some Port Charlotte 10yo 50% now.

[@nathanthomson1931]

Would love to see a collab between you and Scotland History Tours

[@cblimes]

awesome stuff, from australia

[@petarpanza8189]

great stories ! mind you what is "grahm?" mentioned in the "graham and fowl legs" part at 24:40 time mark ?

[@sholtodepuma]

Dram - A drink of whiskey

[@petarpanza8189]

@@sholtodepuma ohh would never guessed that, thank you !

[@sholtodepuma]

@@petarpanza8189 Nae worries! ✌️

[@matthaiosdoesart1234]

Can't wait for the next video 😁

[@equiptheangels7093]

Thanks for Sharing

[@allengordon6929]

I've wantes to learn mcbane's fighting style for years now. I'm part scottish on my father's side, but I've really been fascinated by anglo-irish hema. It's so different than the continental varieties. McBane's statement about atonement really resonated with me. I was a troublemaker (though largely by accident) as a child, and I've had a strong survival instinct and will arguably because of it.

[@PatrickAsti]

Good Stories! Have You heard the Story of Mad Jack? Pipes, Sword and Bow in WWII? It sounds like he has a lot in common with Donald!

[@aromaz6401]

Don’t worry I’ll start saving up my pocket change for a potential million dollar block buster film

[@gangrenousgandalf2102]

I have no idea why but "Donald McBane," is absolutely the name of a fencing master

[@davidyoung745]

Very very cool.

[@LordoftheOzarks]

Great stories. Those were different kind of men... Im fortunate enough to be one of the people descended from the hero of Clan MacThomas, McComie Mor. Not sure if his legends are completely true but they make for great stories. Especially the one about him wrestling a bull 👍🏻

[@midshipman8654]

@inclined to the right” might be in reference to battle lines. the two sides where not head on, but obliquely at an angle

[@strawpiglet]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the reenactment.

[@user-ow6rf4wz8s]

If I remember right with one of Paul MacDonalds video talks, a script was written for a mcbane move, but idk if anything has been done after that

[@tgillies101]

"Touch not a cat, bot a glove!" 😊

[@greghenrikson952]

Someone once insulted his shearing sword in a tavern. He quietly left, then returned through a wall riding a bear. There were no survivors.

[@mikepalmer1971]

Lol

[@clydebennish2106]

Fandabi... you've highlighted several books in your videos which sound interesting. However, where i live there are no public libraries and if there were it would be unlikely they'd have a wide selection.... i typically rely on PDF books for subjects in which i become interested. Could you recommend any interesting Scottish history books that might lend the reader a comprehensive study of your homeland? pDF

[@sussurus]

"Ice to see you!" -McBane

[@itsjustme5097]

Would love to hear more about his repentance and life after his warrior days if possible!

[@iainmc9859]

McBane - for which the Scottish phrase 'Aye, did ye noo !' was first instituted.

[@anonymousbosch9265]

That’s where the song “Donald where’s your Trousers” comes from

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

Thanks to the Simpsons, when I first heard of him I thought it was spelled McBain 😂

[@seanross5596]

Thanks Tom for all the work you do. I like to get the books you read about highlanders. If possible would you be so kind was to send me a list. Thank you for all your help

[@chriselliott368]

Write to Peter (Sir Peter!) Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame. He's a wild child too, and would probably jump at the chance to make a movie of this guy ...

[@philparkinson462]

Wow what a fascinating life! Early career plus income makes me think of an C18th 'Flashman'; not voluntary duelling though! Thanks for a great post.

[@reavnthebarbarian5539]

This is the first time I heard about Donald mcbane it's a shame I didn't know about him until now

[@trikepilot101]

Hate to disappoint you, but I have heard of McBane before, but I do hang out with historical fencers.

[@scottmacgregor3444]

You attended a HEMA event. Nice. Did you fight? How did it go?

[@dexocube]

Out of curiosity, what other primary sources do we have for McBane's life apart from the autobiography in his martial arts manual?

[@stevemcdermott6199]

Great vid I was looking forward to part two, check out if you can a book called Murder mayhem and mutiny. An excellent book on irish bad guys

[@stolman2197]

The soldiers leap story reminds me of a story in my family one of my great-granduncle's did not want to discuss the ownership of the horse he was riding with the sheriff who was approaching and instead jumped on horseback across the gorge (slot canyon) to escape. The leap was 13 ft across and 110 ft deep. ETA Uncle Sid was friends with Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid

[@auldashy]

Got a link to the book?

[@eamonnholland5343]

Reminds me of the lives of many of the men who lived during the Revolutionary war for the U.S., and exploration of the North American frontier, speaking only of the ones I've heard of. Those men were made of sterner stuff, and some seemingly protected by God. From the number of such men, it seemed they were common back then, and not isolated to any one territory or time. It's criminal more people don't know about them, and that our modern story tellers don't enumerate their lives.

[@dubuyajay9964]

Well, a lot of them were Scots...with a big grudge against the British Empire.

[@noway5266]

European progeny is protected by God.

[@eamonnholland5343]

@@noway5266 There's a website called Christogenea that supports that position. TruthVids also has some really interesting connections between White/Europeans to Biblical Israelites. Quite intriguing.

[@Flamewolf14]

I was thinking the same thing could be a really cool period movie or maybe an action movie

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

Who should play the part of Donald McBane in his biopic?

[@joshuabordelon2823]

I have his book. He’s a damn character lol

[@Jaecht88]

Donald McBane? ... I get hungry in an odd way

[@kiltedpatriotatheart]

This was pretty neat! I believe he once dueled Rob Roy MacGregor, aye?

[@GuyNamedSean]

So, McBane was alive during the 17th century, and there is a certain KZbinr who likes making films about 17th century British colonies... I can't be the only person thinking Atun-Shei would be able to do wonders with McBane's life story considering how good his recent film is.

[@ghostagent3552]

Thought it was gonna be ol' Donaldbain from Macbeth at first

[@jusme8060]

Duncan McCloud- the highlander

[@joecoffee968]

A little something that I do not understand. Throughout the United States Civil War something that happened over and over again was a soldier would be shot in the leg or arm and consequently the limb would have to be removed lest gangrene should set in. But I seldom ever hear of previous battles, in particular all over europe, where people lost their limbs because of gangrene. Am I imagining this inconsistency? Or is there some reason for this?

[@jeremy4655]

How would someone from McBane’s era have transported their swords to keep them safe from the elements? I can’t seem to find reference to coverings during heavy rain/snow etc

[@LordoftheOzarks]

Probably the same as a modern soldiers weapon- at your side. If it gets wet, it gets wet. Scabbard offers some protection, but I assume a lot of drying and oiling of the blade and basket were involved with owning one.

[@joaomanoel3197]

Muito bom

[@jamesmachuta2010]

I could see 2 separate films made out of mcdane's life. One a comedy film played for laughs and the other honest historical docupic.

[@wkdmrtease8141]

What a Dude they don't make em like that anymore!

[@andreaskommos7093]

Please that what you Tell , in Letter for Human that not those Confirm in Englisch ! You have a very good Channel !!! Sorry for my bad Englisch ! Nice Greetings from Germany Husky Andy

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Did McBane receive formal training in fencing or was he self-taught?

[@FandabiDozi]

Formal training. As Paul tells the story about his first daul he went and got lessons after he was defeated the first time

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

Good to know, THX for your attn..@@FandabiDozi

[@inthedenoftigers5702]

​@@FandabiDozi Bit of a mixture. He some formal training from a sergeant for his first duel(s) in Scotland over pay. But he got most of his training when he was stationed in Ireland, in what seemed to be French smallsword, though the lineage of that is uncertain (certain similarities to L 'Abbat's system) His smallsword lessons and structure are clearly french in composition but his nomenclature are quite clearly drawn from his own experiences in the low countries fighting with/against other nationalities (Portugueze Guard/Italian High Quarte./French Quarte) Its not clear who taught him braodsword though...I imagine that would have been through his regiment wherever he was stationed.

[@gavinvales8928]

So this is where Groening got the idea from.

[@OneMindAnyWeapon]

Lights/lites is an old word for the lungs

[@Wizard_Pepsi]

7:52 Ah yes, Fast food vs Computers

[@spoonerbooner]

McBane! The movie

[@jklappenbach]

26:11 This is why we dig trenches in zigzag fashion.