So why this very unusual name anyways?  Where does it come from, why was it chosen and why do so many have so much trouble remembering it?

It’s been a pleasure fielding the constant inquiry about the meaning of Gallowglass over the years.  There’s been times where it has flowed quite naturally and times where even I have not felt confidant with my acute knowledge in this regard.

A quick Wikipedia search defines `gallowglass`as:

“The gallowglass were a mercenary warrior élite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the Western Isles of Scotland (or, Hebrides) and Scottish Highlands from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century. As Scots, they were Gaels and shared a common origin and heritage with the Irish, but as they had intermarried with the 10th century Norse settlers of the islands and coastal areas of Scotland and the Picts, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil (“foreign Gaels”).

They were the mainstay of Scottish and Irish warfare before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal service with Irish lords. A military chieftain would often select a gallowglass to serve as his personal aide and bodyguard, because as a foreigner, the gallowglass would be less subject to local feuds and influences.”

Essentially The name “gallowglass” means servant, summarized as `one indebted to another’.

The Store Gallowglass Books has been in existance since it’s founding in 1990. It was started, and of course named, by a gentleman called Terry Malone. Terry was very well read in his Celtic history and folklore and revered the Gallowglass as bodyguards, protectors, per se, of the nobility that contracted their services. Perhaps, the metaphor of the ‘gallowglass’ being the protector of literature and books that span the ages, can summarize a possible purpose for his giving the name to the business.

For whatever reason, the name was truly chosen, I have been very comfotable with it’s unique nature and the connotation to service that defining the role of these medieval warriors can lead to.  In a time when service is somewhat compromised in place of perceived price discount and larger purchasing power, if this business were remembered for anything, I would wish it to be it’s dedicated and consistent focus on service.

GALLOWGLASS – in dictionary

Gallowglass: gal·lo·glass or gal·low·glass
Pronunciation Key (gl-gls) n. [Irish Gaelic gal-
loglach : gall, foreigner + oglach, soldier (from
óg, from Old Irish óac. See yeu in Indo-
European Roots).] \Gal”low*glass`\, n. [Ir. gal
loglach. Cf. Gillie.]

Galloglass or gallowglass (Irish gallóglach, from
gall, ‘foreigner’, and óglach, ‘young warrior-
servant’). An armed servitor or foot soldier in
ancient Ireland. Shakespeare speaks of kerns
and gallowglasses as coming from the Western
Isles of Scotland. See also KERN.

Bestsellers lists are a handy tool, not necessarily because we want to read what everyone else is reading, but because sometimes we have no idea what to read next! Since Gallowglass Books is primarily a ‘used books’ store, our inventory can be unpredictable. But that being said, there’s usually a fair number of recent bestsellers around, so drop by or give us a call if you’re looking for something in particular.

As for what to read? Here are some links to bestseller lists which might inspire you:

• The Globe & Mail bestsellers via Amazon.ca has a list of its top books. (The list is always discounted at 50% off, too, so if you can’t get a used copy with us, that’s a very affordable option.)
• Amazon also conveniently allows you to sort bestsellers into various categories, but in broad terms  here are the best of current fiction and non-fiction
• Other periodicals with formidable bestseller lists include the NY Times, The Guardian, Maclean’s and the LA Times.

Have you ever wondered what some of the best selling books of all time are? Fans of literature have updated the Wikipedia to include a range of some of the top sellers through history, to make for an interesting list.

For instance:

• The Bible is said to have sold at least 2.5 billion or as many as 6 billion copies.
• Some books said to have sold a minimum of 100 million copies, are: The Book of Mormon, A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens), Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien), The Koran, etc.
• In the 50-100 million copies category, we find: The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown), Le Petit Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry), Anne of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery), Black Beauty (Anna Sewell), and many others.

Religious tomes, thrillers, fantasies, world respected children’s classics… there’s certainly something for everyone on a bestsellers list.

Note: For readers in the Cowichan Valley, you can contact us by phone if you like, to find out if we have a book in stock that you’re looking for. And if we don’t have it, there’s always Ten Old Books, another fine used book store in Duncan, and Volume One Books which sells new editions.

And if none of us have what you’re looking for, there’s always Amazon and other online options.