Chapter 13 - Scotland and Anglo-Scottish Border Writing

Summary

This chapter surveys the major phases of historical writing in Scotland and the Anglo-Scottish borders between c.500 and c.1500. It argues that throughout the Middle Ages Scottish historical writing is progressively self-conscious in its awareness of the uses of historiography to speak to issues contemporary to the historical texts, rather than the events that they narrate. At the same time, Scottish writers are deeply aware of the need to preserve the past in historical record as a way of fostering commonality among readers assumed to identify as Scottish. As such, the texts considered here show a persistent concern with matters of lineage, identity and origin, a concern that develops and is shaped by political events. As a result, these texts are seen to negotiate geographic, linguistic and cultural borders in the collection and production of historical record and narrative.