Toísech facts for kids

A toísech (pronounced "TOY-shekh") was an important leader in Scotland a long time ago, during the Middle Ages. They were the head of a local family group, also called a "kin-group." The word toísech comes from Scottish Gaelic and means "first" or "leader."

We first learned about the toísech from old records written in a book called the Book of Deer. These records were made between the 1130s and 1150s. They help us understand how people lived and were organized back then.

What Was a Toísech?

A toísech was like a local chief or manager. They were in charge of certain areas of land and the people living there. Their main job was to collect "tribute" from these areas. Tribute was like a payment, often in goods or services, given to the leader.

Collecting Tribute

The toísech collected tribute from specific villages or settlements within their family's land. Other parts of the land might give tribute to a mormaer (a powerful regional ruler) or even directly to the king. This shows that power and land were shared among different leaders.

Toísech and Mormaer

The Book of Deer tells us more about this system. It describes how both the mormaer and the toísech gave parts of their tribute to a place called Deer Abbey. This means they both had the right to collect payments. Interestingly, the book also mentions one lord who was both a mormaer and a toísech. This shows that sometimes, a very powerful mormaer could also hold the title of toísech.

Toísech and Thane

The role of the toísech was very similar to another position called a thane. Thanes were also local leaders who managed land for the king. This connection is found in an old set of laws called the Leges inter Brettos et Scottos. This law code was written during the time of King David I and explained the different social ranks in Scotland. It suggests that a toísech and a thane were essentially the same kind of leader.