The Donald emulates King Canute

The sand dunes to the south of Newburgh on Ythan were, until recently, designated as a Site of Special Interest (SSSI). SSSIs are the nations's very best wildlife and geological sites.The site has now been trashed by Donald Trump and transformed into a golf course.

Part of the scientific interest was that the dunes were highly mobile with the sand gradually moving northwards. The Donald is now attempting to prevent sand blowing onto his greens by consolidating the dunes with sand fences and by planting marram grass. Methinks that he would be well advised to remember the wisdom of our King Canute (995 - 1035).

Canute's name is usually remembered because of the legend that he was so proud that he thought his command could hold back the rising sea tide. This story was first recorded in Henry of Huntingdon's twelfth-century Chronicle of the history of England. In fact, Henry's account was rather a testimony to Canute's good sense and Christian humility - not his vainglory.

He commanded that his chair should be set on the shore, when the tide began to rise. And then he spoke to the rising sea saying "You are part of my dominion, and the ground that I am seated upon is mine, nor has anyone disobeyed my orders with impunity. Therefore, I order you not to rise onto my land, nor to wet the clothes or body of your Lord". But the sea carried on rising as usual without any reverence for his person, and soaked his feet and legs. Then he moving away said: "All the inhabitants of the world should know that the power of kings is vain and trivial, and that none is worthy the name of king but He whose command the heaven, earth and sea obey by eternal laws". Therefore King Canute never afterwards placed the crown on his head, but above a picture of the Lord nailed to the cross, turning it forever into a means to praise God, the great king.