The Mediaeval Castles of Skye and Lochalsh


Book Description

In this book the castles of Hebridean myth and story are brought to life in a scholarly yet easy-to-read text. Roger Miket explores the history and architecture of the settings associated with blood-curdling dramas such as the murderous goings-on at Dun Sgaith or the far-fetched yarns of Saucy Mary and C Chulainn. Many of the castles are shown in reconstruction and all the architectural descriptions are fully illustrated making them clear to both expert and amateur historians. Together with the earlier broachs and duns, the castles are the principal material survivals of the great pageant of Hebridean history.




Lordship and Architecture in Medieval and Renaissance Scotland


Book Description

These essays constitute the first radical reassessment since the nineteenth century of the role of architecture as an expression of lordship and status among Scottish secular and ecclesiastical elites in the period c.1124–c.1650. These studies of the architectural patronage of particular families or groups explore how the nobility operated socially and economically, as well as politically, in the organisation and structure of lordship throughout the medieval and renaissance periods. The contributors draw on the traditions and strengths of Scottish genealogical, archaeological and art-historical enquiry to illustrate key themes, which include: family or kindred styles in building on a local, regional or national level; builders' or patrons' motives; the scale and use of the buildings; and ascertainable changes in function, purpose and attitude.




Scottish Castles


Book Description

Gazetteer of over 500 hundred surviving Scottish Castles. Discover the castles of Scotland, from early "motte and bailey" earthworks and impressive walled enclosures to the many tower houses that dot the landscape. Castles were built in increasing numbers from the 14th to the 17th century, as residences for the Scottish nobility. Some are still proudly occupied; others are well-maintained ruins; many others slowly decay in fields and farmyards. Here, Adrian Pettifer provides a brief account of every Scottish castle to survive in a reasonable state of preservation, including such iconic sites as Edinburgh, Glamis and Cawdor. Each of the more than five hundred main entries provides a brief history and description of a castle, followed by advice on accessibility, sources for further reading and cross-references to related sites. An introduction supplies the historical background, while a glossary covers all aspects of Scottish castles in some detail. Ordnance Survey references are given in the index.







Archaeology of Skye and the Western Isles


Book Description

This book explores the history of human settlement and society in Skye and the Western Isles from the first hunter-gatherers to the Clearances.




Buildings and Landmarks of Medieval Europe


Book Description

Through the use of images, diagrams, and detailed descriptions, this book enables readers to appreciate how the construction, design, and function of famous structures inform our understanding of societies of the past. Buildings and Landmarks of Medieval Europe: The Middle Ages Revealed makes use of significant buildings as "representative structures" to provide insight into specific cultures, historical periods, or topics of the Middle Ages. The explanations of these buildings' construction, original intended use and change over time, and design elements allow readers to better comprehend what life in European societies of the past was like, covering social, political, economic, and intellectual perspectives. Readers will be able to apply what they learn from the discussions of the structures to improve their understanding of the historical period as well as their skills of observation and assessment needed to analyze these landmark structures and draw meaningful conclusions about their context and significance. The book's supporting features—a chronology, biographical appendix, glossary, and subject index—help researchers in successfully completing their papers or projects.




The Sea Kings


Book Description

The archipelagic kingdoms of Man and the Isles that flourished from the last quarter of the eleventh century down to the middle of the thirteenth century represent two forgotten kingdoms of the medieval British Isles. They were ruled by powerful individuals, with unquestionably regnal status, who interacted in a variety of ways with rulers of surrounding lands and who left their footprint on a wide range of written documents and upon the very landscapes and seascapes of the islands they ruled. Yet British history has tended to overlook these Late Norse maritime empires, which thrived for two centuries on the Atlantic frontiers of Britain. This book represents the first ever overview of both Manx and Hebridean dynasties that dominated Man and the Isles from the late eleventh to the mid-thirteenth centuries. Coverage is broad and is not restricted to politics and warfare. An introductory chapter examines the maritime context of the kingdoms in light of recent work in the field of maritime history, while subsequent chronological and narrative chapters trace the history of the kingdoms from their origins through their maturity to their demise in the thirteenth century. Separate chapters examine the economy and society, church and religion, power and architecture.




The Lordship of the Isles


Book Description

In The Lordship of the Isles, twelve specialists offer new insights on the rise and fall of the MacDonalds of Islay and the greatest Gaelic lordship of later medieval Scotland. Portrayed most often as either the independently-minded last great patrons of Scottish Gaelic culture or as dangerous rivals to the Stewart kings for mastery of Scotland, this collection navigates through such opposed perspectives to re-examine the politics, culture, society and connections of Highland and Hebridean Scotland from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries. It delivers a compelling account of a land and people caught literally and figuratively between two worlds, those of the Atlantic and mainland Scotland, and of Gaelic and Anglophone culture. Contributors are David Caldwell, Sonja Cameron, Alastair Campbell, Alison Cathcart, Colin Martin, Tom McNeill, Lachlan Nicholson, Richard Oram, Michael Penman, Alasdair Ross, Geoffrey Stell and Sarah Thomas.




The Kingdom of the Isles


Book Description

This study explores the history of the western seaboard of Scotland (the Hebrides, Argyll and the Isle of Man) in a formative but often neglected era: the central middle ages, from the mightly Somerled to his descendant John MacDonald, the first Lord of the Isles (c. 1336). Drawing on a variety of sources, this very readable narrative deals with three major and closely interrelated themes: first, the existence of the Isles and coastal mainland as a kingdom from c.1100 to 1266; second, the rulers of the region, Somerled and his descendants, the MacDougalls, MacDonalds and MacRuaris; and third, the often complex relations among the Isles, Scotland, Norway and England. A fully rounded history emerges, which transcends national viewpoints. While political history predominates, the changing nature of society in the isles is emphasised throughout, and separate chapters address the church and monasticism as well as the monuments – the castles, monasteries, churches and chapels that form an enduring legacy.




Warrior Daughter


Book Description

Inspired by first century AD warrior women, Janet Paisley's Warrior Daughter is a gripping adventure about one young woman's struggle to survive in the harsh Celtic wilderness. 2,000 years ago on the Isle of Skye, a warrior is born. Daughter of an Iron Age warrior queen, Skaaha is wild, headstrong and revered. But she is also a child, and when a chariot race leaves the queen dead and her menacing rival Mara in her place, Skaaha's charmed life lies in ruins. Vulnerable, her future imperilled, Skaaha seeks to forge a life beyond the new queen's reach. But with rumour, fear and danger sweeping the island, she cannot remain unmoved. Broken by brutal misfortune, alone in a world of mistrust, Skaaha must unearth the courage to confront her enemies in defence of her people. Illuminated by the great Celtic fire festivals, Warrior Daughter is inspired by the historical Scathach, a fierce warrior woman of the first century AD and forerunner to the equally ferocious Boudicca. Praise for Janet Paisley's White Rose Rebel: 'Heather igniting historical adventure' Sunday Times 'A powerful historical page-turner with a beautiful, feisty heroine' Scotsman Janet Paisley is the author of five poetry collections, two of short fiction, a novella and numerous plays, radio, TV and film scripts. Accolades include a prestigious Creative Scotland Award (Not for Glory, stories), the Peggy Ramsay Memorial Award (Refuge, a play) and a BAFTA nomination (Long Haul, a short film). Her first novel, White Rose Rebel, is available from Penguin.