Scottish History
It is often useful to look at Scottish history in term of different historical periods. This often involved religion in the middle ages and before. Dark Ages There is a mammoth amount of history concerning the dark ages in Scotland and although this does not impact on our course directly, it is always good to have some background knowledge. The main battles of the dark ages were between the Caledonians and the Romans. One of the most famous battles was The Battle of Mons Graupius, AD 84. Previously in Ad 79 the Roman governor of Britannia, Agricola sent a fleet to Scotland in the hope of defeating them. By Ad 83 they had successful conquered the south of Scotland and were marching to the north east to do the same.
The Battle of Mons Graupius, AD 84
The battle commenced at Mons Graupius and although the Caledonian had a much larger army than Romans defeated them due to their excellent militarily tactics. The Caledonians were helpless and many lives were lost during the battle, an estimated 10,000. A new beginning Although the Caledonian had lost the Romans did not take over their land. The Roman Emperor Domition ordered Agricola back to Rome as they had more important military issues at home. The Caledonians were released.
In 122 AD Hadrian’s Wall was built between the Solway and the Tyne, establishing a frontier for the Empire.
There were more battle to be fought during the dark ages which help establish Scotland and all the different clans.
Early Church
Christianity was first brought to Scotland in the 4th century by St Ninian. Little is known about him, except that he founded the first Scottish Monastery. Following in the footsteps of St Ninian, was St Mungo who founded two monasteries in Glasgow and went on to become the Patron Saint of the City.
St Columba, left Ireland in 563 AD and settled on the island of Iona, where he built his monastery. For all the Gaelic warrior kings, Columba was a useful asset; he served as the kings advisors and provided education for their sons.
In the 11th century, as the Kingdom of Alba expanded across Scotland, St Andrew’s popularity with royal patrons increased. St Andrew was a useful unifying symbol for a kingdom of diverse devotions to different saints
In 1296 Scotland had been conquered by the English King Edward 1 also known as ‘Longshanks’. Longshanks has many Scottish noble imprisoned expecting Scotland to fight in his militarily battle with France. Scotland was in angst over this. In May 1297 William Wallace- son of Scottish knight and a small landowner- slit the throat of an English Sherriff, William Heselrig. His acted spurred over Scots to stand up against the English King and fight for Scotland. This momentum was fuelled more with the work of Andrew Murray who led an a successful rising against the English power.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge 1297
The Battle of Stirling Bridge took place on 11 September 1297 which was a great victory for Scotland against their English opponents. Tragically Andrew Murray was badly injured and died two months later. Wallace was knighted and made Guardian of Scotland.
The Battle of Falkirk, 1298
The English nobility were in two minds with Edward the 1 and his battles with both Scotland and France they had, had enough of the fighting. Nevertheless they decided to press on with the Battle of Falkirk. The battle was a major loss for Scotland and Wallace. Wallace was made a diplomat to liaise with other European countries including France. However the French sided with Edward when they needed help against the Flanders.
Scottish nobles took this as a sign to bow down to England in 1304 as the reigning power but Wallace would not be convinced. Wallace believed in an independent Scotland where as the noble were surrendering to benefit their own pockets.
The Betrayal Wallace was declared an outlaw for his resistance to the English Rule and he continued to fight until August 3rd 1305. Wallace was set up by Sir John Menteith and captured at Robroyston, when he was quickly turned over to the English for a trial at Westminster Hall. Wallace was hung, drawn and quartered for crimes of treason. His head was put on a pole at the London Bridge, other parts went to Newcastle, district Wallace had destroyed in 1297-8, and the rest went to Berwick, Perth and Stirling. This was Edwards 1 doing to warn the Scots not to rise against him. Robert the Bruce
Robert the Bruce was born in 1274, he was the grandson of another Robert Bruce, the failed claimant of the Scottish crown in 1290/2, and the son of yet another Robert Bruce. In 1295 Bruce became the Earl of Carrick. At this time the king of Scotland Balliol was captured by the English and the Bruce family felt that they were entitled to the crown. William Wallace was fighting Scotland’s battles but the Bruce’s turned away from this for fear of repercussions and their right to the throne.
It is speculated that the young Robert the Bruce made an agreement with Bishop Wishart to spark another rising and claim the crown. In 1306 Bruce had got into a fight with an important Scottish family the Comyn and killed the head family member John ‘The Red’ Comyns. Bruce was crowned King 6 weeks later.
This was a very bad start for Bruce as he was now king and had started a civil war with the Comyns. He was defeated and retreated to the Gaelic west.
Bruce knew he needed to change his tactics and victory followed. Bruce won victories at Glen Trool London Hill and defeated the Comyns in 1308 at Inverurie. The Scottish people were now turning to Bruce to help them defeat the English power.
Bruce decided to march north to destroy the rebels, Edward 1 died witnessing his attack. Edward I son Edward II took over but did not have the strength of his father and wanted a truce with Bruce. In 1313 Robert the Bruce gave any opposing Scots- nobility- an ultimatum join him or loose estates.
Bruce led the Scots to Bannockburn where he met the English army. This battle was a reaction by the English King for the raid on the remaining English garrisons in Scotland. The battle lasted for two days after which the Scots were triumphant. This is Bruce’s most notorious battle here, he fought for Scotland’s independence against a strong English army.
Bruce was now in control of Scotland but he wanted others to acknowledge Scotland’s independence and his right to the throne.
Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath is a famous Scottish document; some view it with the same prestige as the American’s Declaration of independence. It was drafted on the 6th April 1320, a letter in Latin sent to the Pope John XXII. It was sent to the Pope to get his seal of approval for Bruce’s kingship of Scotland.
Reformation The main figure acknowledged with the reformation of Scotland is, Mary Queen of Scots, She returned to her homeland of Scotland in 1561 after spending her childhood in France. This move upset the provisional government, which had run the country in Marys name, ever since overthrowing Mary’s mother from the position. The protestant government were upset as her arrival meant coming under rule of a catholic monarchy. This was seen a serious threat to the nation, and John Knox was a major player in the game to overthrow Catholicism completely. In 1567 Mary was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle, and forced her abdication in favour of her infant son, James VI. Scotland then spiralled into a six years of civil war. After the battle of Langside, Mary fled into exile in England. She sought protection of her cousin Elizabeth I, who then had her beheaded in a charge of treason. The topic of Mary Queen of Scots has been a popular one within Scottish film.
The Union The Union of 1707 between Scotland and England was very unpopular with the majority of the people in Scotland. The Scots people feared they would simply merge with England losing their identity and the English feared the Scots may join forces with their old ally France and defeat them. The Act joined the England and Scotland- until that time had been separate states with different legal systems but with the same monarch into one Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain. The two countries had shared a monarch since the Union of Crowns in 1603, which was seen as a disaster at the time. King James VI of Scotland had inherited the English throne from his double first cousin twice removed, queen Elizabeth I. Jacobites and the Union The Jacobites Rising were a sequence of revolts and wars in Scotland and England before the union and later after the Union of 1707 and Ireland between 1688 and 1746. The Jacobites fight was to return James VII of Scotland and England to the throne after he was overthrowed by parliament during the Glorious Revolution. The major Jocobite Risings were called Jacobite Rebellions by the ruling governments. In 1688 James VII of Sctoland and II of England was overthrown and his thrones were calimed by his daughter Mary II and her husnband, the Dutch-born William of Orange. After the House of Hanover succeeded to the British throne in 1714 the risings continued and got stronger. The rebellions continued until the last by Charles Edward Stuart (The Young Prentender) who was defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This defeat ended any hope of a Stuart restoration. Enlightenment 1750 - This was the era in Scottish history that produced the greatest thinkers of our time, people like Adam Smith, James Hutton and Robert Burns. It was the times were these great thinkers helped our economy grow by putting their theories into practise. Saw the creation of the Shipyards and Factories in Glasgow.
Victorian Scotland The Victorian age of Scotland was known as such because of the Monarch a young Queen Victoria who came to the throne at only 18 years old. Scotland was becoming richer at this due to the success of the British Empire, which was conducting business all over the world. The Victorian era seen the development of railways, which meant shorter journey times for people who wanted to venture to areas of the country they had not been before. The diet of many people improved through the introduction of trains as food was being transported faster, which in turn meant it was fresher for longer. Living standards also improved during the Victorian era but this was mostly for some of the wealthier families who could afford this fresh food. For many people in Scotland and particularly Glasgow although the city was wealthier they were not. Poor sanitation in addition to overcrowding, no state medical care and a dirty water supply meant disease was rife. The working class struggled and often died from disease such as Cholera whilst it seemed the rich got richer.
Modern Scotland Is the place that we live in today, the 20th century has seen woman’s roles redefined. Creation of a new Scottish Parliament, and still centuries on, Scotland are fighting to be an independent country but are perhaps much closes to this than ever before.
It is often useful to look at Scottish history in term of different historical periods. This often involved religion in the middle ages and before.
Dark Ages
There is a mammoth amount of history concerning the dark ages in Scotland and although this does not impact on our course directly, it is always good to have some background knowledge.
The main battles of the dark ages were between the Caledonians and the Romans. One of the most famous battles was The Battle of Mons Graupius, AD 84. Previously in Ad 79 the Roman governor of Britannia, Agricola sent a fleet to Scotland in the hope of defeating them. By Ad 83 they had successful conquered the south of Scotland and were marching to the north east to do the same.
The Battle of Mons Graupius, AD 84
The battle commenced at Mons Graupius and although the Caledonian had a much larger army than Romans defeated them due to their excellent militarily tactics. The Caledonians were helpless and many lives were lost during the battle, an estimated 10,000.
A new beginning
Although the Caledonian had lost the Romans did not take over their land. The Roman Emperor Domition ordered Agricola back to Rome as they had more important military issues at home. The Caledonians were released.
In 122 AD Hadrian’s Wall was built between the Solway and the Tyne, establishing a frontier for the Empire.
There were more battle to be fought during the dark ages which help establish Scotland and all the different clans.
Early Church
Christianity was first brought to Scotland in the 4th century by St Ninian. Little is known about him, except that he founded the first Scottish Monastery. Following in the footsteps of St Ninian, was St Mungo who founded two monasteries in Glasgow and went on to become the Patron Saint of the City.
St Columba, left Ireland in 563 AD and settled on the island of Iona, where he built his monastery. For all the Gaelic warrior kings, Columba was a useful asset; he served as the kings advisors and provided education for their sons.
In the 11th century, as the Kingdom of Alba expanded across Scotland, St Andrew’s popularity with royal patrons increased. St Andrew was a useful unifying symbol for a kingdom of diverse devotions to different saints
Wars of Independence
William Wallace
In 1296 Scotland had been conquered by the English King Edward 1 also known as ‘Longshanks’. Longshanks has many Scottish noble imprisoned expecting Scotland to fight in his militarily battle with France. Scotland was in angst over this. In May 1297 William Wallace- son of Scottish knight and a small landowner- slit the throat of an English Sherriff, William Heselrig. His acted spurred over Scots to stand up against the English King and fight for Scotland. This momentum was fuelled more with the work of Andrew Murray who led an a successful rising against the English power.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge 1297
The Battle of Stirling Bridge took place on 11 September 1297 which was a great victory for Scotland against their English opponents. Tragically Andrew Murray was badly injured and died two months later. Wallace was knighted and made Guardian of Scotland.
The Battle of Falkirk, 1298
The English nobility were in two minds with Edward the 1 and his battles with both Scotland and France they had, had enough of the fighting. Nevertheless they decided to press on with the Battle of Falkirk. The battle was a major loss for Scotland and Wallace. Wallace was made a diplomat to liaise with other European countries including France. However the French sided with Edward when they needed help against the Flanders.
Scottish nobles took this as a sign to bow down to England in 1304 as the reigning power but Wallace would not be convinced. Wallace believed in an independent Scotland where as the noble were surrendering to benefit their own pockets.
The Betrayal
Wallace was declared an outlaw for his resistance to the English Rule and he continued to fight until August 3rd 1305. Wallace was set up by Sir John Menteith and captured at Robroyston, when he was quickly turned over to the English for a trial at Westminster Hall. Wallace was hung, drawn and quartered for crimes of treason. His head was put on a pole at the London Bridge, other parts went to Newcastle, district Wallace had destroyed in 1297-8, and the rest went to Berwick, Perth and Stirling. This was Edwards 1 doing to warn the Scots not to rise against him.
Robert the Bruce
Robert the Bruce was born in 1274, he was the grandson of another Robert Bruce, the failed claimant of the Scottish crown in 1290/2, and the son of yet another Robert Bruce. In 1295 Bruce became the Earl of Carrick. At this time the king of Scotland Balliol was captured by the English and the Bruce family felt that they were entitled to the crown. William Wallace was fighting Scotland’s battles but the Bruce’s turned away from this for fear of repercussions and their right to the throne.
It is speculated that the young Robert the Bruce made an agreement with Bishop Wishart to spark another rising and claim the crown. In 1306 Bruce had got into a fight with an important Scottish family the Comyn and killed the head family member John ‘The Red’ Comyns. Bruce was crowned King 6 weeks later.
This was a very bad start for Bruce as he was now king and had started a civil war with the Comyns. He was defeated and retreated to the Gaelic west.
Bruce knew he needed to change his tactics and victory followed. Bruce won victories at Glen Trool London Hill and defeated the Comyns in 1308 at Inverurie. The Scottish people were now turning to Bruce to help them defeat the English power.
Bruce decided to march north to destroy the rebels, Edward 1 died witnessing his attack. Edward I son Edward II took over but did not have the strength of his father and wanted a truce with Bruce. In 1313 Robert the Bruce gave any opposing Scots- nobility- an ultimatum join him or loose estates.
The battle of Bannockburn 1314
Bruce led the Scots to Bannockburn where he met the English army. This battle was a reaction by the English King for the raid on the remaining English garrisons in Scotland. The battle lasted for two days after which the Scots were triumphant. This is Bruce’s most notorious battle here, he fought for Scotland’s independence against a strong English army.
Bruce was now in control of Scotland but he wanted others to acknowledge Scotland’s independence and his right to the throne.
Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath is a famous Scottish document; some view it with the same prestige as the American’s Declaration of independence. It was drafted on the 6th April 1320, a letter in Latin sent to the Pope John XXII. It was sent to the Pope to get his seal of approval for Bruce’s kingship of Scotland.
Reformation
The main figure acknowledged with the reformation of Scotland is, Mary Queen of Scots, She returned to her homeland of Scotland in 1561 after spending her childhood in France. This move upset the provisional government, which had run the country in Marys name, ever since overthrowing Mary’s mother from the position. The protestant government were upset as her arrival meant coming under rule of a catholic monarchy. This was seen a serious threat to the nation, and John Knox was a major player in the game to overthrow Catholicism completely. In 1567 Mary was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle, and forced her abdication in favour of her infant son, James VI. Scotland then spiralled into a six years of civil war. After the battle of Langside, Mary fled into exile in England. She sought protection of her cousin Elizabeth I, who then had her beheaded in a charge of treason. The topic of Mary Queen of Scots has been a popular one within Scottish film.
The Union
The Union of 1707 between Scotland and England was very unpopular with the majority of the people in Scotland. The Scots people feared they would simply merge with England losing their identity and the English feared the Scots may join forces with their old ally France and defeat them.
The Act joined the England and Scotland- until that time had been separate states with different legal systems but with the same monarch into one Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain.
The two countries had shared a monarch since the Union of Crowns in 1603, which was seen as a disaster at the time. King James VI of Scotland had inherited the English throne from his double first cousin twice removed, queen Elizabeth I.
Jacobites and the Union
The Jacobites Rising were a sequence of revolts and wars in Scotland and England before the union and later after the Union of 1707 and Ireland between 1688 and 1746. The Jacobites fight was to return James VII of Scotland and England to the throne after he was overthrowed by parliament during the Glorious Revolution. The major Jocobite Risings were called Jacobite Rebellions by the ruling governments.
In 1688 James VII of Sctoland and II of England was overthrown and his thrones were calimed by his daughter Mary II and her husnband, the Dutch-born William of Orange. After the House of Hanover succeeded to the British throne in 1714 the risings continued and got stronger. The rebellions continued until the last by Charles Edward Stuart (The Young Prentender) who was defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This defeat ended any hope of a Stuart restoration.
Enlightenment
1750 - This was the era in Scottish history that produced the greatest thinkers of our time, people like Adam Smith, James Hutton and Robert Burns. It was the times were these great thinkers helped our economy grow by putting their theories into practise. Saw the creation of the Shipyards and Factories in Glasgow.
Victorian Scotland
The Victorian age of Scotland was known as such because of the Monarch a young Queen Victoria who came to the throne at only 18 years old. Scotland was becoming richer at this due to the success of the British Empire, which was conducting business all over the world.
The Victorian era seen the development of railways, which meant shorter journey times for people who wanted to venture to areas of the country they had not been before. The diet of many people improved through the introduction of trains as food was being transported faster, which in turn meant it was fresher for longer. Living standards also improved during the Victorian era but this was mostly for some of the wealthier families who could afford this fresh food.
For many people in Scotland and particularly Glasgow although the city was wealthier they were not. Poor sanitation in addition to overcrowding, no state medical care and a dirty water supply meant disease was rife. The working class struggled and often died from disease such as Cholera whilst it seemed the rich got richer.
Modern Scotland
Is the place that we live in today, the 20th century has seen woman’s roles redefined. Creation of a new Scottish Parliament, and still centuries on, Scotland are fighting to be an independent country but are perhaps much closes to this than ever before.