ian and Bernicia, forming new kingdoms which would eventually unite into the English kingdom of Northumbria. They spoke a distinctive dialect of Anglo-Saxon. Originally Northumbria was the dominant English kingdom, but later lost this position to Mercia and, more recently, Wessex. The Angles were ruled by a typical warrior aristocracy. The king was supported by a group of warrior thegns, from whom he selected ealdormen to administer districts of his lands. However, like other German tribes, the Anglo-Saxons were notorious both for their elaborate legal codes, including the practices of weregild and trial by oath or ordeal, and for democratic institutions known as moots, popular assemblies which had judicial and legislative powers. English kings had well-defined rights and powers, a custom which the Celts often laughed at. All kings have to keep their people content lest they rose up in arms (a tradition the Scots were always willing to uphold), but only Anglo-Saxon kings had to suffer commoners quoting «laws» at them [3, p. 13 - 17].
1.2.5 The Vikings and the British Isles: 9th - 10th century AD
The coasts of the British isles are now dotted with monasteries, not yet rich by the standards of medieval monasticism but with sufficient wealth to attract Viking marauders. One of the most famous islands, Iona, was raided three times in a decade (in 795, 802 and 805). Even monasteries which seem secure, pleasantly sited on inland rivers, fell victim to Viking longships <# «justify"> 2.1 The Wars of Independence
The Scottish kingdom: AD 1058-1286 - the Scottish crown remains in the family of Malcolm III <# «justify"> 2.2 The foundation of St. Andrew `s University
One of the greatest event of cultural life of Scotland 15th century was the foundation of the oldest University in Scotland - St. Andrew `s. The university was founded in 1410 when a charter <# «justify"> 3. Scotland `s nation
.1 John Knox - the leader of the Scottish reformation
The most important religious event of 16 c. was The Scottish Reformation. John Knox <# «justify"> In 1603, two very different nations were brought together by the curious fact that they only had one monarch between them. On the death of England «s Queen Elizabeth I without children, the next in line to the throne was the reigning king of Scotland, King James VI. James won the backing of the English establishment as he was a Protestant, he had sons who could be king after him, and his 36-year rule in Scotland had largely been a success. However, he was also a Scot, who spoke a different language and had a different cultural background. How would he be able to bring the two countries together? These pages explore James »s personality and the effects of his arrival in England, and include images of James« s own books from the National Library of Scotland »s rich collections. We look at how 1603 changed Britain, with consequences that we are still living with in the devolved Scotland of today.
Before 1603. James Stuart was crowned King of Scotland in 1567 when he was just a year old. Although only a baby, he was an important symbol of the Scottish nation, and of the authority of the reformed Church of Scotland.country - both nation and Kirk faced many threats to their survival. Despite its ancient monarchy, Scotland was a fragile coun...
