Pencader Hundred in Bear in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The John Barbour Preserve
The Father of Scottish Literature
John Barbour was born about 1316 and died in 1396. He was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, a well educated man and for 40 years served as Archdeacon of St. Machar Cathedral.
In the mid 14th century there were no Scottish universities. John was able to convince the English King Edward III to grant him safe passage through England to attend Oxford University and in later years a grant of safe passage to travel to a French university. John Barbour was more than a scholar. He was appointed to Parliament as a proxy for the Bishop of Aberdeen and in 1373 was Clerk of Audit for the King of Scotland's household and an auditor of the Exchequer for King David and King Robert II of Scotland.
John Barbour's masterpiece is "The Bruce", a poem of the epic exploits of King Robert the Bruce which Barbour's dates as 1375. "The Bruce" is regard as the most accurate near contemporary account of the life and adventures of the king. Barbour follows the tradition of chivalric romance as he describes King Roberts of Bruce fugitive years. The War of Independence and the victory at Bannockburn.
Many of Barbour's works have been lost in
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1316.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 36.612′ N, 75° 42.02′ W. Marker was in Bear, Delaware, in New Castle County. It was in Pencader Hundred. It was on East Scotland Drive just west of St. Andrews Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 258 E Scotland Dr, Bear DE 19701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
Other markers no longer nearby. Marquis de Lafayette (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Delaware Militia (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., October 28, 2025
3. The John Barbour Preserve Marker
Closer look determined where the marker was; i.e. marker is missing.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 29, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.
