Dr. Grant G. Simpson is widely regarded as one of the leading Scottish medievalists of his generation, and the affection in which he is held is second to none. A Festschrift is traditionally a collection of essays on varied and not always related topics. This one is quite different, concentrating on developments and directions in Scottish medieval and early modern history (to c. 1603) during Grant Simpson's career.
1320 and a' that - the Declaration of Arbroath and the re-making of
Scottish history, Terry Brotherstone and David Ditchburn; turning gold into
lead? - the state of early-medieval Scottish historiography, Richard Oram;
late-medieval and early-modern Scottish history - a progress report, Stephen
Boardman and Michael Lynch; the Vatican Archives and Scottish history, Leslie
Macfarlane; historians and languages - medieval and humanist views of Celtic
Britain, Uli Moret; a Celtic enclave in Norman Scotland - Earl Gilbert and
the Earldom of Strathearn, 1171-1223, Cynthia Neville; acts of lordship - the
Lords of Galloway to 1234 and their records, Keith Stringer; Sir James
Doublas, Spain and the Holy Land, 1329-30, Sonja Cameron; why they fought -
the Border barons and war with England, c1370-1402, Alastair Macdonald;
Archibald, 4th Earl of Douglas and his following, 1400-1424, Alexander Grant;
Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, 1563-1617, Robin Macpherson;
recreating the urban past, Pat Torrie; medieval Scottish associations with
Bruges, Alexander Stevenson; Mons Meg and Merchant Meg - women in Edinburgh
in the late-middle ages, Elizabeth Ewan; visiting the charter chest - the
early records of the University of Aberdeen, Colin McLaren; the craftsmen of
Elgin 1540-1660, Jane Thomas; the witches, the devil and the king, Jenny
Wormold.
