The youthful Alexander II, who ascended to the Scottish throne in 1214 at the age of sixteen, was delighted to welcome to his court a young man of royal blood, heir to the ancient - and all but rival - line of the Cospatricks, Earls of Dunbar. Rather than begrudge Alexander his crown, Patrick, Master of Dunbar, was to serve his monarch well and become his true and closest friend. And Alexander needed such a friend in those turbulent times, with the ever-present threat of King John of England lurking; not to mention the warlike Norsemen under King Hakon; the Lords of the Isles in revolt, and the Isle of Man and Ireland also causing trouble. This steadfast royal friendship was to withstand both treachery and danger, rivalry and heartache during a highly significant period in Scottish history. A story of drama and enduring friendship by Nigel Tranter, master of Scottish historical fiction.

What use is it to be given authority over men and lands if others do not know about it? Furthermore, what use is that authority if those who know about it do not respect it or recognise its jurisdiction? And what strategies and 'language' -written and spoken, visual and auditory, material, cultural and political - did those in authority throughout the medieval and early modern era use to project and make known their power? These questions have been crucial since regulations for governance entered society and are found at the core of this volume. In order to address these issues from an historical perspective, this collection of essays considers representations of authority made by a cross-section of society within the British Isles. Arranged in thematic sections, the 14 essays in the collection bridge the divide between medieval and early modern to build up understanding of the developments and continuities that can be followed across the centuries in question. Whether crown or noble, government or church, burgh or merchant; all desired power and influence, but their means of representing authority were very different. These essays encompass a myriad of methods demonstrating power and disseminating the image of authority, including: material culture, art, literature, architecture and landscapes, saintly cults, speeches and propaganda, martial posturing and strategic alliances, music, liturgy and ceremonial display. Thus, this interdisciplinary collection illuminates the variable forms in which authority was presented by key individuals and institutions in Scotland and the British Isles. By placing these within the context of the European powers with whom they interacted, this volume also underlines the unique relationships developed between the people and those who exercised authority over them.

The Honours of Scotland tells the turbulent story of the Honours - Scotland's crown jewels - and the equally dramatic tale of the Stone of Destiny.Over the centuries, Scotland's monarchy experienced relentless conflict and shifts in power. But throughout all of the struggles, there remained one stalwart reminder of the authority of the monarchy: the Honours of Scotland. For centuries, these priceless objects were entangled in the intrigues of Scottish noble and royal families. Hidden, stolen, mended, remade - and now taking pride of place on display in Edinburgh Castle - their survival depended on the brave actions of many Scots.Existing at the crossroads of myth and tradition, ceremony and legitimacy, the Honours and the Stone of Destiny transcended the sway of individual kings and queens to become proud symbols of Scottish identity and power.

An ideal volume for anyone wanting a brisk overview of North Britain from the year dot to the twentieth century.

A modern American myth-buster finds the magic of love in seventeenth-century Scotland in this unique and “truly spectacular” romance (Romantic Times). Taylor Kincaid has made a career of debunking myths and legends as the host of her own TV show. When she inherits property in Scotland near a storied archway of sea stones called Ladysgate, she’s determined to disprove the incredible tales of locals who have disappeared through it. Despite the warnings of brawny sea captain Duncan Fraser, Taylor insists on setting sail toward Ladysgate. But when a vicious storm strikes, she is thrown overboard, with Captain Fraser close behind her. Together, they come to grips with the inconceivable—they have somehow ended up in 1651. Taylor and Duncan soon find themselves thrust into a desperate plot to save the Scottish crown, sword, and scepter amid imminent peril. And as they attempt to re-cross the centuries, they risk losing not only their lives, but the love they’ve found in a time long past. “Jill Jones continues to carve out a most unique and extraordinary niche for herself with her completely captivating and unusual novels.” —RT Book Reviews