Scots History to 1400

By Michael Lynch

Index Page


Kings Eochaid to Dubh

This is the index page for Scots History to 1400. These pages are from the initial chapters of the book "Scotland: a New History" by Michael Lynch who agreed to have the text published in the former "Scottish Radiance" Web site - many of the pages of this excellent e-magazine are being recreated in Rampant Scotland with the permission of the Scottish Radiance owner.

Michael Lynch, FRHistS, FRSE, FSA Scot (born 1946) is a retired Scottish historian and a leading expert in the history of the Scottish Reformation and pre-modern urbanisation in the Scottish kingdom. He was described by one reviewer as 'one of the most influential historians in Scotland of the last thirty years'.

Michael Lynch was born and educated in Aberdeen before taking degrees at the University of Aberdeen and the University of London. After lecturing in the history department at University College, Bangor (now Bangor University) from 1971-1979 he took up a lectureship in the Scottish history department at the University of Edinburgh. In 1993, he was appointed Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography at Edinburgh - the oldest and most distinguished Scottish history professorship in the world. he held this Chair—until his retirement in 2005. After his retirement, Lynch was named an honorary research professor at Edinburgh, and latterly an honorary professorial fellow at the same university.

"Scotland: a New History" covers in detail the story of Scotland from before written history through the turmoil of the formation of Scotland, its frequent wars with its southern neighbour until the English and Scottish monarchy and parliament merged and the moulding of modern Scotland. (The excerpts indexed below cover the period from pre-history to 1400).

The book was shortlisted for the Saltire Scottish book of the year award and reviewers of this book wrote:

"It's a book that seems more like a multi-volume history, so sweeping is it; yet lucid and captivating even in detailed areas... Fundamental to Lynch's approach is a sense of connection between now and then, however far back; he continuously shows how Scottish identity refashions its heroes and myths, yet clings to survival" (Douglas Gifford, Emeritus Professor, Department of Scottish Literature, Glasgow University)

"A monumental achievement" (Times Literary Supplement)

"Breathtaking and absorbing" (Scottish Field)

"Fascinating...it ought to be compulsory reading for all MPs, journalists and commentators before they were permitted to talk about European economic and political union" (Tom Wilkie Independent)

NOTE 1 - Michael Lynch's book has its own illustrations; this Web version of the early chapters has graphics added by the Rampant Scotland editor.

NOTE 2 - this index is currently a "work-in-progress" and further pages will be added soon - so make sure you bookmark this page and check back for more articles on Scots History before 400AD to 1500.





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