Episode 40 - Scotland and the European Stage

History of Scotland Podcast

Hello everyone and welcome to the History of Scotland, Episode 40.

Today, we're broadening our horizon. We're stepping out of the Scottish borders and onto the grand stage of Europe during the period of 1100 to 1200 AD. It's a time of dynamic change, of kingdoms vying for power, of cultural exchanges, and of wars that shaped the continent's history. How was Scotland perceived during this era? What role did it play in the larger European context? And equally important, how did the great powers of the time view this relatively small kingdom on the edge of the European world?

Our narrative will weave through the relationships and perceptions of England, the kingdom with which Scotland had the most complex and entwined history. We'll explore the diplomatic ties, the familial connections between the northern English lords and southern Scottish nobility, and the inevitable conflicts. Was England's goal to rule Scotland, or did it simply seek recognition as the preeminent power in Britain?

But our story doesn't end there. We'll look at how France, with its own ambitions and its relationship with Scotland, perceived our nation. We'll travel to Flanders, a hub of medieval commerce, to understand their interactions with Scotland. The Holy Roman Empire, a political colossus of the time, had its own views and policies regarding Scotland, as did the Papacy in Rome, whose spiritual authority reached far and wide.

Please give us a follow-on twitter at: u/TheHistoryofSc1 or just our Facebook group which you can find by searching History of Scotland on Facebook.

Leave any feedback you have for the podcast in reviews, likes, and comments. Our podcast is on PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and other great podcasting platforms.

Stay safe.