Poet, soldier, Royalist, Covenanter - some of the many faces of James Graham, Marquess of Montrose. One of the most famous and dashing figures in Scottish history, his heroic struggle in the face of hopeless odds still excites the imagination. For three years, Montrose was in vanguard of the fight against papistry and Stuart despotism. Yet, during this time, extremists among the Covenanters became ever more influential and Montrose, sickened by their excesses, defected to the king. Under Charles, he enjoyed one glorious year of dazzling victories, routing the rebels in battles at Inverlochy, Auldearn, Alford and Kilsyth. But his dramatic success was short-lived. In quick succession he was defeated, exiled and finally betrayed to the Covenanters during his final campaign. He was hanged in May 1650, yet the victorious legend that he was soon to become lives on as one of the most astonishing military episodes in British history. This biography shows the complexity of the man behind the myth and, using much-neglected material, gives a full picture of the influence and impact Montrose had upon the complicated politics surrounding the English Civil War and the final collapse of the Royalist cause.

Montrose: For covenant and king

History

Cowan, Edward J.

Europe

Weidenfeld and Nicolson

Scottish History: The Power of the Past

This book examines the power of the past upon the present. It shows how generations of Scots have exploited and reshaped history to meet the needs of a series of presents, from the conquest of the Picts to the refounding of Parliament.Dauvit Broun, Fiona Watson, and Steve Boardman explore the violent manipulations of the past in medieval Scotland. Michael Lynch questions well-entrenched assumptions about the Scottish Reformation. Roger Mason looks at the transformation of 'Highland barbarism' into 'Gaelicism'. Ted Cowan examines the 'Killing Times' of the covenanters, and David Allan the seventeenth century fashion for creative family history. Colin Kidd discovers the victims of Pictomania in Scotland and modern Ulster, and Murray Pittock uncovers the comparable mania driving Jacobitism. Richard Finlay links the cult of Victoria with the queen's idea of herself as the heiress of the Scottish monarchy. Catriona MacDonald considers the neglect of women and the dangers of reconstructing history to su

Finlay, Richard J.

Edinburgh University Press

The People's Past: Scottish Folk- Scottish History (Living Memory)

Polygon Books

This is the first modern biography of James Graham, Marquis of Montrose. One of the most famous and dashing figures in Scottish history, his heroic struggle in the face of hopeless odds still excites the imagination. For three years Montrose was in the vanguard of the fight against Catholicism and Stuart despotism. Yet during this time, extremists among the Covenanters became ever more influential and Montrose, sickened by their excesses, defected to the king. Under Charles I he enjoyed his 'glorious year' of dazzling victories, routing the rebels in a series of battles. But his dramatic success was shortlived, and in quick succession he was defeated, exiled and finally betrayed. Montrose was hanged in 1650, yet his legendary victories remain to this day one of the most astonishing military episodes in British history.

Montrose: For Covenant and King

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Interlink Pub Group Inc

In the tradition of Arthur Herman’s How the Scots Invented the Modern World comes a narrative that charts the remarkable—yet often overlooked or misidentified—Scottish contribution to Arctic exploration\nThe search for the Northwest Passage is filled with stories of tragedy, adventure, courage, and endurance. It was one of the great maritime challenges of the era. It was not until the 1850’s that the first one-way partial transit of the passage was made. Previous attempts had all failed, and some, like the ill-fated attempted by Sir John Franklin in 1845 ended in tragedy with the loss of the entire expedition, which was comprised of two ships and 129 men.\nNorthern Lights reveals Scotland’s previously unsung role in the remarkable history of Arctic exploration. There was the intrepid John Ross, an eccentric hell-raiser from Stranraer and a veteran of three Arctic expeditions; his nephew, James Clark Ross, the most experienced explorer of his generation and discoverer of the Magnetic North Pole; Dr. John Richardson of Dumfries, who became an accidental cannibal and deliberate executionaer of a murderer as well as an engaging natural historian; and Orcadian John Rae, the man who first discovered evidence of Sir John Franklin and his crew’s demise.\nNorthern Lights also pays tribute and reveals other overlooked stories in this fascinating era of history: the Scotch Irish, the whalers, and especially the Inuit, whose unparalleled knowledge of the Arctic environment was often indispensible.\nFor anyone fascinated by Scottish history or hungry for tales of Arctic adventure, Northern Lights is a vivid new addition to the rich tradition of polar narratives.

Northern Lights: A History of the Arctic Scots

Pegasus Books

The Declaration of Arbroath, 6 April, 1320, is one of the most remarkable documents to have been produced anywhere in medieval Europe. Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance has now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. Since 1998, the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modeled upon 'the inspirational document' of Arbroath, and 6 April is celebrated annually as a day of national significance to all Americans, especially those of Scottish descent. To date, such claims have not been the subject of scholarly investigation; this is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mystic status in Scotland and exploring its possible impact upon Revolutionary America.

For Freedom Alone: The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320

Birlinn

The Declaration of Arbroath, 6 April, 1320, is one of the most remarkable documents to have been produced anywhere in medieval Europe. Signed by 51 Scottish nobles, it confirms Scotland's status as an independent sovereign state with the right to use military action if unjustly attacked.Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance has now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. Since 1998, the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modelled upon 'the inspirational document' of Arbroath. This is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mythic status in Scotland and exploring its impact upon revolutionary America.

The Declaration of Arbroath: For Freedom Alone'

The Declaration of Arbroath, April 6, 1320, is one of the most remarkable documents to have been produced anywhere in medieval Europe. Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance has now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. Since 1998, the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modeled upon 'the inspirational document' of Arbroath. To date, such claims have not been the subject of scholarly investigation; this is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mystic status in Scotland and exploring its possible impact upon Revolutionary America.

For Freedom Alone: The Declaration of Arbroath

Literature & Fiction

British & Irish

The Declaration of Arbroath, 6 April 1320, is one of the most remarkable documents to have been produced anywhere in Medieval Europe. Quoted by many, understood by few, its historical significance had now almost been overtaken by its mythic status. The beginning of a new century, in the wake of the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament, seems an appropriate moment to re-examine one of Scotland's long-cherished historical icons. Since 1998 the US Senate has claimed that the American Declaration of Independence is modelled upon 'that inspirational document', and 6 April is celebrated annually as a day of national significance to all Americans, especially those of Scottish descent. So far such claims have not been the subject of scholarly investigation. This is the first book-length study to examine the origins of the Declaration and the ideas upon which it drew, while tracing the rise of its mythic status in Scotland and exploring its possible impact upon Revolutionary America.

For Freedom Alone: The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320 (Scottish History Matters series)

Tuckwell Press, Ltd.

The authorities told folk what they ought to believe, but what did they really believe? Throughout Scottish history, people have believed in fairies. They were a part of everyday life, as real as the sunrise, and as incontrovertible as the existence of God. While fairy belief was only a fragment of a much larger complex, the implications of studying this belief tradition are potentially vast, revealing some understanding of the worldview of the people of past centuries. This book, the first modern study of the subject, examines the history and nature of fairy belief, the major themes and motifs, the demonising attack upon the tradition, and the attempted reinstatement of the reality of fairies at the end of the seventeenth century, as well as their place in ballads and in Scottish literature.

Scottish Fairy Belief: A History

Henderson, Lizanne

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Books by Cowan, Edward J.