Medieval Scotland

'The range of this book is breathtaking. In six chapters (123pp), the whole sweep of Scotland's medieval history is tackled, from the sixth century to the early sixteenth. There is also a brief survey of prehistoric settlements. Furthermore, the book is topped and tailed with an introduction, which includes an outline of changing attitudes to the Scottish medieval past from Scott to Barrow and Duncan, and an epilogue, which focuses on the period from the Reformation to the Union. It is no mean feat to guide the reader through such an immense historical landscape in a relatively short book, especially when the reader that both author and publishers have in mind is someone with little or no prior knowledge. Bruce Webster has achieved this by using the medieval millennium to explore why Scotland remains distinct; in particular, how this comes about and what are the elements which make up this distinctiveness.' - Dauvit Broun, Scottish Historical Review

In the eleventh century there was no such identity as Scotland. The Scots were one of several peoples in the Kingdom of the King of Scots: the Picts may have faded away, but English, British, Galwegians were still distinct and Anglo-Normans were soon to be added.In the eleventh century there was no such identity as Scotland. The Scots were one of several peoples in the Kingdom of the King of Scots: the Picts may have faded away, but English, British, Galwegians were still distinct and Anglo-Normans were soon to be added. On the eve of the Reformation, five centuries later, Scotland was one of the most fiercely self-conscious nations in Europe. How this came about is the theme of this study.