Scotland's Story

by H.E. Marshall, J.R. Skelton (Illustrator), John Hassall (Illustrator)

A child's history of Scotland, from legendary days through the time when the kingdoms of Scotland and England were joined together. Relates in vigorous prose the thrilling exploits of the heroes and heroines who defended Scotland from its English invaders. Includes the stories of Macbeth, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, the poet king and the beautiful lady of the garden, the "Glen of Weeping" and many others. First published a century ago, from the author of the highly-acclaimed "Our Island Story."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Medieval, Teaching

552 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

About the author

Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall (usually credited as H.E. Marshall) was a Scottish author, particularly well known for her works of popular national history for children.

H.E. Marshall is famous for her 1905 children's history of England, Our Island Story: A History of England for Boys and Girls, illustrated by A. S. Forrest. In the USA the book was entitled An Island Story. The book was a bestseller, was printed in numerous editions, and for fifty years was the standard and much-loved book by which children learned the history of England. However a lot of this book is historically inaccurate and much of it uses Shakespeare's plays for historical sources; for example, the section of Richard III is really a summary of the play. The book is still to be found in schools and homes, but the last printing was in 1953 and it went out of print in the 1960s. In 2005, an alliance of the Civitas think-tank and various national newspapers brought the book back into print, with the aim of sending a free copy to each of the UK's primary schools. Readers of The Daily Telegraph contributed £25,000 to the cost of the reprint.

She was educated at a girls' boarding school called Laurel Bank, in Melrose. Between 1901 and 1904 she was the superintendent of a hall of residence for female students at the University of Glasgow, but, otherwise, she appears to have made her living throughout her life by writing. She never married.

As is made clear by the Prefaces of her books from time to time, she travelled extensively after 1904, including to Melbourne, California and China, although her obituary in The Times stated that she spent most of her life in Oxford and in London, where she died.

Reviews

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my very very favorite books. This book, written by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshal, tells stories of Scotland from Roman times to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and finishes with George IV. This book tells the story of Scotland simply and well.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a good overview of a subject you know very little about, go to a kids' book. This gave me just enough background for our Scotland trip.

[Michelle Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great review of early Scottish kings to prepare for Shakespeare reading.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I read this book to get my bearings for Sir Walter Scott’s fiction. It was a tremendous help. This was a terrific, short overview of the history of Scotland. I knew stories here and there, but didn’t know how they fit together. Now I do. Obviously, the chapters are short, so can’t be very detailed, but it is great for what it is. I liked that the chapters are episodic. As was the Victorian style, this book focused a lot on the rulers, but there are plenty of places to jump off for future learning. I even got suggestions of some medieval writings to look up. This would be perfect for a child/teenager, though it can get gory at times.

The Bruce by John Barbour
The King’s Quire by James I of Scotland

[Dave Poole]

The story of Scotland was not something I knew much about. This is a reasonable primer and I can definitely see echoes of past behaviours in those of the SNP.
I hadn't known that we came so close to having James III and Charles III. That would be an excellent subject for a "what if" story such as SSGB.

[marion power · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting

Suitable for children or people who like to reAd short stories. I did not enjoy it so much because it was condensed probably for the above reason

[Angela Bergeron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it almost as much as Our Island Story. It's a great book to follow up on Our Island Story too.

[Emma Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book and easy to understand, I enjoyed it very much and it wasn't too boring.

[Luka Debenjak · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read it

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Our Island Story, H.M has written another great book of Scottish history.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good way to familiarize oneself with the legends surrounding the rulers and heroes of Scotland. It is a good compliment when reading dryer, adult nonfiction on the history of Scotland.

[Libby Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

currently reading a-loud with our youngest children.
Love it