In general James successfully re-established the best of laissez faire Scottish monarchy; a light touch on the vast majority of subjects, allowing magnates to exercise authority and justice in theirRead More
Archives: Resources
Transcript for HoS 39
Jane Dawson in her book ‘Scotland Re-Formed’, with a hyphen, does a piece on the really very lovely looking ceiling of St Machar’s cathedral in Aberdeen. I have been toRead More
Transcript for HoS 38
Last time I left you in 1513, bereft, bereft of the mighty and glorious James IV, dead in the Northumbrian mud, alongside a significant number of his political elite. InRead More
Early Modern Scottish Earldoms
A handy chart of the holders of 5 politically influential Scottish Earldoms in the 16th century.
Transcript for HoS 31
Let me take you then to a place called Hermiston Moor, in 1406. You will see a group of horsemen approaching the castle of Tantallon. Tantallon was occupied by theRead More
The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
The efforts to persuade the Pope of Robert Bruce’s right led in 1320 to one of the most famous documents in Scottish history – the Letter of the Barons –Read More
Transcript for HoS 26
Imagine, if you will, that it is 10th February 1306, and we are in Dumfries in Galloway in the south West of Scotland – and so it’s a fair bet,Read More
Transcript for HoS 25
Last time, Patrick of Dunbar offered Edward a lifeline – a chance to attack and maybe defeat his enemy on the field of battle before he was forced to runRead More
Transcript for HoS 24
In May 1297, a man called William Heselrig was murdered in Clydesdale. Heselrig was one of the many Englishmen called northwards to serve their king; he had been made sheriffRead More
Transcript for HoS 23
Last time we ended with the conclusion of the Great Cause, and with the proud inauguration of John Baliol as king of Scots in traditional fashion at Scone. King JohnRead More