Are Clergy and Clark the same tartan?

**ardchoille** · 22nd June 08, 07:45 PM

Are the Clergy tartan and the Clark tartan one and the same? I have seen some swatches and they appear different to my eye, but folks seem to speak as if these are the exact same tartan. I can't seem to find any reliable information about Clan Clark and some tartan finders show several different swatches for both tartans. Can someone shed some light on this? Anyone know any history of these two tartans?

**ccga3359** · 22nd June 08, 07:55 PM

I believe I have seen a couple of variations of the Clergy tartan. The main one (?) is Clark though. I've often wondered why Clark is assosiate with Clergy myself.

**macwilkin** · 22nd June 08, 08:05 PM

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.albanach.org/clergy_tartan.htm

Yours aye,

Todd

**ardchoille** · 22nd June 08, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.albanach.org/clergy_tartan.htm

Yours aye,

Todd

Aha, thanks for that link.

UPDATE: That is a very interesting article and answers my question perfectly. Thank you, Matt Newsome, for all of the work you do in getting information to the masses, your efforts are very much appreciated.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 22nd June 08, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.albanach.org/clergy_tartan.htm

Yours aye,

Todd

Beat me to it!

But, you should definitely read that article. It'll answer all your questions.

**ccga3359** · 22nd June 08, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tattoo Bradley

Beat me to it!

But, you should definitely read that article. It'll answer all your questions.

You're a Mod, you coulda posted anyway then deleted Todd's response, taken all the credit and moved yorself one step closer the coveted silver Mod badge and 22 oz XMarks great kilt

.

**RadioKen** · 22nd June 08, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

...and moved yorself one step closer the coveted silver Mod badge and 22 oz XMarks great kilt.

They have that?? Wow...and here I thought that all they got was headaches and abuse!

~Ken

**CelticRanger66** · 22nd June 08, 09:26 PM

Thanks for reposting that link !!! My wife is a Clark and I have that Tartan.

**jordanjm** · 23rd June 08, 05:43 AM

Great Link!

**Galician** · 23rd June 08, 06:42 AM

I would just expand on Matt's informative article by pointing out that the word "clark" was used in Middle English for what we now call "cleric" or "clergy." This can still be seen in the category used Church documents referring to Clarks Regular (clergy living in community under vows).

In the Middle Ages, those men who were permanently ordained into the lower Orders (grades/levels) of the clergy (now abolished in the Roman Cathoic Church) were not required to be celibate. So this term came to cover not only those who were ordained, but also covered any one who was literate and able to read and write.