Crail in Fife - Anthony Flemming - Royle 1978 - Framed Print - 12"H x 16"W

Crail in Fife - Anthony Flemming - Royle 1978 - Framed Print - 12"H x 16"W

Anthony Flemming is a member of the Wapping Group of Artists. He is a good quality water colourist with convincing movement and sense of location who specialises in maritime subjects.

Until taking up painting full-time in 1970 he worked as a designer on racing car projects for clients such as Jack Brabham and Bruce Maclaren.

Crail is a former royal burgh, parish and community council area (named Royal Burgh of Crail and District) in the East Neuk of Fife.

Crail probably dates back to the Pictish period, as the place-name includes the Pictish/Brythonic element caer, 'fort', and there is a Dark Age cross-slab dedicated to the early holy man St. Maelrubha.

Crail became a Royal Burgh in the 1178. Robert the Bruce granted permission to hold markets on a Sunday. This practice was still continuing in the 16th century, causing concern in the freshly puritanical circles, such that John Knox was moved to deliver a sermon in Crail Parish Church, damning the fishermen of the East Neuk for working on a Sunday. Despite the protests, the markets continued.

James V (the father of Mary Queen of Scots) sent for his wife, Mary of Guise, whom he had recently married by proxy in Paris, and she landed in Crail in June 1538.

The harbour is known to have been substantially complete by 1583. The extension of 1828 to the west pier of Crail Harbour is the work of Robert Stevenson.