Scotland in the High Middle Ages

Scotland in the High Middle Ages

Scotland in the High Middle Ages is a relatively well-studied topic. By 1286, the Kingdom of Scotland had political boundaries that closely resembled those of the modern nation. The Scottish monarchs are better described as Scoto-Norman than Gaelic, preferring French culture to native Scottish culture.

About Scotland in the High Middle Ages in brief

Summary Scotland in the High Middle AgesScotland in the High Middle Ages is a relatively well-studied topic. By 1286, the Kingdom of Scotland had political boundaries that closely resembled those of the modern nation. The sources for information about the Hebrides and indeed much of northern Scotland from the eighth to the eleventh century are almost exclusively Irish, English or Norse. The main Norse texts were written in the early thirteenth century and should be treated with care. The English and Irish sources are more contemporary, but according to historian Alex Woolf, may have “led to a southern bias in the story”, especially as much of the He bridean archipelago became Norse-speaking during this period. The Scottish monarchs are better described as Scoto-Norman than Gaelic, preferring French culture to native Scottish culture. The first towns, called burghs, appeared in the same era, and as they spread, so did the Middle English language. National cohesion was fostered with the creation of various unique religious and cultural practices. By the end of the period, Scotland experienced a “Gaelic revival”, which created an integrated Scottish national identity. This was clearly a major assault, which may have brought the whole of mainland Scotland under English control in the seventh century. This may have clearly brought the entire country under the control of the English, although the extent to which this was true is unknown as contemporary sources are silent on this matter.

It was an indirect cause of the Wars of Scottish Independence. At the close of the ninth century, various polities united the east; the Scandinavian-influenced Kingdom of the Isles emerged in the west. Ragnall ua uímair was a key figure at this time, although he is unknown on the extent of his territory in northern Scotland and the Northern Isles. He may have been sacked by the Uíde Ímair in 870, which was clearly the major assault on mainland Scotland in the 7th century. It is believed that he was killed in the Battle of Stirling in 880. He was buried in Dumbarton, the capital of the Strathclyde Kingdom, in what is now known as Dumbartonshire. He is believed to have been the first Scottish king to be buried in a public grave in the city of Dumbarton. In the 13th century, he was the first Scotsman to be recorded in a book called The History of Scotland, published by the Scottish Museum of Natural History in Glasgow. The book was published in 17th century and is based on a collection of extracts from the work of the Scottish chronicler William MacIntosh. It has been published by The Scotsman and the University of St Andrews, and is available on Kindle for £3.99. For more information, visit www.scottishmuseum.org.uk/scotish-historical-history-of-the-high-middle- Ages. It includes the period between the death of Domnall II in 900 AD and the death in 1286.