Power and Propaganda: Scotland 1306-1488 - Paperback

by Katie Stevenson (Author)

How did the later medieval kings of Scotland manipulate their power and alliances after the Wars of Independence?

Key Features:

• An introduction to a period in history dominated by national identity and independence from English sovereignty
• Expert assessment of the period arranged in thematic chapters
• Gives fresh insights into the period that draw on a wide range of sources
• Extensive further reading lists

Power and Propaganda is a thematic reflection on the political history of late medieval Scotland, that considers the ways in which power was expressed and renegotiated during a crucial period in the kingdom's history. It deals with themes including the nature of the power enjoyed by kings, how that power was maintained and how it was deployed; the interpersonal relations and struggles between kings and the elites within their kingdoms; and, the structures of governance through which power operated and was felt down to a local level.

Late medieval Scotland is especially fertile ground for an examination of all of these themes as two new dynasties - the Bruces and the Stewarts - were faced with the challenge of establishing their own legitimacy and authority.

Back Jacket

'A sharp and incisive analysis of Scotland as a European society in the late middle ages. An excellent addition to this valuable series.' Michael Brown, University of St Andrews 'A fascinating portrait of the late medieval Scottish kingdom and the ways in which the new Bruce and Stewart dynasties establish and enhance their power as monarchs and players on the European stage.' Elizabeth Ewan, University of Guelph 'From political violence to performance of liturgy, Katie Stevenson leads us magisterially through the manifold facets of power and its exercise in medieval Scotland. In this ground-breaking study, she challenges long-cherished themes in our narrative of identity and nation-building, and explores the nature of authority and its legitimation in a new prescription for the 21st Century.' Richard Oram, University of Stirling How did kings influence and control Scotland after the Wars of Independence? Power and Propaganda is a thematic reflection on the political history of later medieval Scotland, considering the ways that power was expressed and renegotiated in a crucial period. It explores the nature and extent of the influence enjoyed by kings; their alliances and struggles with the elites of their kingdom; and the structures of governance through which the executive operated and was felt down to a local level. Late medieval Scotland is fertile ground for an examination of these themes as two new dynasties - the Bruces and the Stewarts - were charged with establishing their own legitimacy and authority. Katie Stevenson is a senior lecturer in late medieval history at the University of St Andrews and Director of the Institute of Scottish Historical Research. Her books include Chivalry and Knighthood in Scotland, 1424-1513 (2006) and The Herald in Late Medieval Europe (2009). Cover image: Map of Scotland, 1457 (c) The British Library Board. Lansdowne 204, ff.226v-227. Cover design: www.paulsmithdesign.com [EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com

Author Biography

Katie Stevenson is a senior lecturer in Late Medieval British History, University of St Andrews.