Johnny Faa
John Faa (fl. 1540–1553), the King of the Gypsies, was a historical character from Scotland, a contemporary of King James V. Although historical sources place him in Dunbar, in the east of Scotland, much folklore associates him with the Galloway/Ayrshire border.
Johnnie Faa of Dunbar was leader of the 'Egyptians', as the gypsies were called in Scotland (Scottish Romanichal). Faa was granted a letter under the Privy Seal from King James V in February 1540, which was renewed in 1553. It was addressed to "oure louit Johnne Faw, lord and erle of Litill Egipt" ("our beloved Johnne Faw, Lord and Earl of Little Egypt") establishing his authority over all Gypsies in Scotland and calling on all sheriffs in the country to assist him "in executione of justice upoun his company and folkis", who were to "conforme to the lawis of Egipt".
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