|
Scotland history dates back to the earliest years of the Christian era. The first recorded history of Scotland was during the Roman invasion of the region around 43 AD. The Romans achieved limited success. The control of Rome stopped at the Scottish borders. The Romans were the first invaders in the history of Scotland.
The Roman invasion, however, contributed towards the rapidly changing demographics of Scotland. The Picts and the Britons were the original inhabitants of the area. The Roman invasion was followed by subsequent invasions by the ethnic Norse races, the older Irish language speaking Scotti or Scots, and the Anglo Saxons. The Anglo Saxons brought with them Gaelic language influences. This linguistic influence would later contribute to the development of the Scottish Celtic language branch.
Christianity arrived in Scotland at around 5 AD. The religious faith was introduced by the British Bishop Saint Ninian. The conversion of Pictish King Bridei acted as a catalyst towards making Scotland a predominantly Christian nation.
The first well documented Scottish administrative structure is believed to be the Kingdom of Alba. The boundaries of the kingdom straddled the north banks of the Clyde and Forth rivers. Mael Colium II extended the boundaries of Scotland to the north banks of the river Tweed. The border is valid to this day. Shakespeare's character Macbeth was a local ruler who reigned during this time. He was ousted by Mael Colium III.
The 11th century saw the invasion of Scotland by the Normans. William the Conqueror swept past local defenses erected by Mael Colium III and forced the Scottish king to accede to him. Colium's wife Margaret greatly promoted the spread of Christianity under approval from Rome. The first monastery was set up in Dunfermline. The conquest of the Normans was the first of the many battles that Scotland would fight against England in the subsequent centuries.
Scotland also fought with Norway over the control of the Western Isles. The island population was gradually integrated with the Scottish mainlanders. The English King Edward I invaded Scotland in 1296. King John of Scotland was deported. Scottish rebels like Andrew de Moray and William Wallace defeated the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The victory was short lived. King Edward himself led a battle and defeated Wallace's and Moray's armies in the Battle of Falkirk.
The Parliament of Scotland began its session in 1326. King Edward III recognized Scottish independence in 1328. The recognition came through the signing of the Treaty of Northampton. The treaty was violated by King Edward himself. Scotland was invaded by the English army and Edward Balliol was installed on the Scottish throne.
The year 1371 saw the first of the Stuart kings come to power in Scotland. The first king was Robert II. Scotland made considerable progress under the Stuarts. The 15th century saw establishment of the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of St. Andrews. The Education Act of 1496 greatly contributed towards the expansion of Scottish knowledge during those times.
Scottish history during the late medieval age largely comprises constant battles with England. The most well-known of Scottish personalities was Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was executed by the orders of Elizabeth I. Her execution was the result of Catholic and Protestant religious tensions prevailing in England at that time. Mary supported the Catholic Church and Elizabeth promoted English Protestantism. Scotland underwent a Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The beginning of the 17th century saw England and Scotland being unified to become Great Britain. This momentous event was made possible by the ascendancy of King James VI to the English throne as James I. He was the son of Queen Mary and succeeded the childless Elizabeth I. The Scottish and the English were finally joined by a common parliament in 1707, an event known as the Unification of Great Britain in history.
Scotland survived the ravages of the English Civil War in the 18th century. The territory also survived the Cromwell era. The industrial revolution occurred in Scotland in the 18th century. Industry was promoted as a source of livelihood. Many Scots migrated to new lands like Nova Scotia in present day Canada. The 18th century saw the works of many Scottish writers and philosphers gain worldwide fame. Notable names of the Scottish Enlightenment include David Hume, James Boswell, James Watt, and the economist Adam Smith among others. Noted littérateurs like Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns also contributed to Scottish literature during this time.
Scotland played a major role as a strategic naval and air force base for the Allied forces during World War II. The British state played a passive role during the Cold War era. The Scottish Parliament was formed anew in 1999 at Edinburgh, 292 years after the Unification.
|
