Buke of the Howlat

The symbolism is debatable but two of its purposes are clear; it serves as a moral fable warning against vanity and excessive pride, and it is also a piece of propaganda praising the Douglas dynasty of Scots nobles.

[1] Other themes dealt with in the work include satire of the bureaucracy of the medieval church, and the mocking of Highland Scots and their language.

A series of entertainers are presented in vivid comic detail; The mavis leads a band of musicians; the jay performs juggling; the rook, as a highland bard, gives a recitation in mock Gaelic before being driven out by two fools (a peewit and a gowk).

Nature agrees and, deprived of his fine plumage, the owl reflects bitterly on the lesson he has learnt about pride and vanity.

They open with the entrance of the bard, who demands food and drink in exchange for his recitation on Irish royal genealogy.