In the 780s northern Britain was dominated by two great kingdoms; Pictavia, centred in north-eastern Scotland and Northumbria which straddled the modern Anglo-Scottish border. Within a hundred years both of these kingdoms had been thrown into chaos by the onslaught of the Vikings and within two hundred years they had become distant memories. This book charts the transformation of the political landscape of northern Britain between the eighth and the eleventh centuries. Central to this narrative is the mysterious disappearance of the Picts and their language and the sudden rise to prominence of the Gaelic-speaking Scots who would replace them as the rulers of the [...] Pictland to Alba uses fragmentary sources which survive from this darkest period in Scottish history to guide the reader past the pitfalls which beset the unwary traveller in these dangerous times. Important sources are presented in full and their value as evidence is thoroughly explored and evaluated. Unlike most other volumes dealing with this period, this is a book which 'shows its workings' and encourages the readers to reach their own conclusions about the origins of [...] Features:. The first book in over twenty years to explain the destruction of the Picts and the rise of the Scottish kingdom from contemporary accounts alone. Recounts and evaluates modern scholarship developing readers' awareness of recent debates and controversies . Subjects contemporary sources to rigorous examination allowing students to appreciate the strengths and pitfalls of different types of evidence. Locates early Scottish history firmly within a European context
In the 780s northern Britain was dominated by two great kingdoms; Pictavia, centred in north-eastern Scotland and Northumbria which straddled the modern Anglo-Scottish border. Within a hundred years both of these kingdoms had been thrown into chaos by the onslaught of the Vikings and within two hundred years they had become distant memories. This book charts the transformation of the political landscape of northern Britain between the eighth and the eleventh centuries. Central to this narrative is the mysterious disappearance of the Picts and their language and the sudden rise to prominence of the Gaelic-speaking Scots who would replace them as the rulers of the [...] Pictland to Alba uses fragmentary sources which survive from this darkest period in Scottish history to guide the reader past the pitfalls which beset the unwary traveller in these dangerous times. Important sources are presented in full and their value as evidence is thoroughly explored and evaluated. Unlike most other volumes dealing with this period, this is a book which 'shows its workings' and encourages the readers to reach their own conclusions about the origins of [...] Features:. The first book in over twenty years to explain the destruction of the Picts and the rise of the Scottish kingdom from contemporary accounts alone. Recounts and evaluates modern scholarship developing readers' awareness of recent debates and controversies . Subjects contemporary sources to rigorous examination allowing students to appreciate the strengths and pitfalls of different types of evidence. Locates early Scottish history firmly within a European context
Über den Autor
Alex Woolf is Lecturer in Early Scottish History at the University of St Andrews. He has published numerous articles on the history of Early Medieval Britain and is Historical Consultant to the BBC's 'A History of Scotland' series in 2008.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Maps, genealogical Tables and Illustrations; Acknowledgements; General Editor's Preface; Note on Pronunciation and Spelling; Introduction: Land and People in the Eighth Century; Part One: Events (789-1070); Chapter 1. The Coming of the Vikings; Chapter 2. The Scaldingi and the transformation of Northumbria; Chapter 3. Last Days of the Pictish Kingdom, 839 to 889; Chapter 4. The Grandsons of Cinaed and the Grandsons of Ímar; Chapter 5. The Later Tenth Century: A Turmoil of Warring Princes; Chapter 6. The Fall of the House of Alpín and the Moray Question; Part Two: Process; Chapter 7. Scandinavian Scotland; Chapter 8. Pictavia to Albania; Table of Events; Guide to Further Reading; Bibliography; Index.
