Outlaws of Medieval Scotland: Challenges to the Canmore Kings, 1058 - 1266

by R. Andrew McDonald

Demonstrating how the so-called Canmore kings in Scotland maintained their grip on power in large measure through crushing rivals and quashing numerous insurrections, this book shows how their claim to be the founders of the medieval kingdom is valid. It emphasizes how violence and military confrontations in the consolidation of their power played a vital role in how the medieval kingdom was formed. From well-known events like Somerled's invasion of 1164 to lesser-known challenges like that from Donald MacWilliam in the 1180s, leaders of insurrection, their aims and motivations, their military capabilities, and the reasons behind their failure are explored as well as the overall impact of violence and insurrection upon the Scottish kingdom.

Genres: History, Scotland, Medieval History

202 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Russell Andrew McDonald

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

As often for scholarly books, the subtitle of this is more accurate than the title. "Outlaws" to me would imply criminals or at least Robin Hood types, but the people described here would more accurately be described as "rebels" or "pretenders"-- leaders based in northwestern Scotland and the Isles who opposed the predominance of the
official Scottish kings of the period. Some of these opponents, the MacHeth and MacWilliam families and the descendents of Macbeth's stepson Lulach, had serious claims to the throne themselves. Others, like Fergus of Galloway,
Summerled of the Isles and the Orkney jarl Harald, were powerful regional rulers ready to defy attempts to impose a central royal authority. I read this book at the same time as
Orkneyinga Saga and a life of William the Lion (who was one of the stronger kings who was imposing his authority) and was very interested by the different perspectives. D.D.R Owen's life of William is naturally sympathetic to the king's side, while this book tends to feel that the royalist sources' presentation of these rebels as barbaric is overone, though he does not deny their penchant for looting and general devastation.

[Eoghan Rua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a much overlooked period in Scottish history from the 11th to the 13th century. A period  that is essential to understanding the change from a Gaelic to a Norman dominated country and why there is a strong ethnic divide in Scotland.

Unlike in Ireland, England and Wales, where the Normans had outright conquered vast areas of land and set themselves up as rulers, in Scotland things were different.

The Normans wormed their way into the court of the Gaelic monarchy itself in Scotland and made themselves "useful" from the time of David I especially. This coupled with subversion from Frankish-dominated Rome under the guise of religious "Reform" (the Cistercians and similar orders in particular) led to significant de-Gaelicisation and the creation of the Highlands-Lowlands divide.

Not everybody was happy about this and scions descended from other branches of the Scottish monarchy led uprisings. This is what the book essentially covers with a bit of information about the Norse-Gaels thrown in. The most interesting character was Domhnall mac Uilleim, a real life Braveheart, who, with the backing of Gaelic lords led an uprising against the shill monarchy and its network of urbanite Norman burghers. Sort of Maoist rural guerillas meets Balklans-style ethnic conflict.

Ultimately this is a book of what ifs. The Canmore kings beat their rivals but were themselves soon replaced by their foreign Norman pals who they had let infiltrate Scotland; Balliol, Bruce, Stewart, etc. Gone was Domhnall, Máel Coluim and Donnchadh, instead came Robert and James. The Gaels were left with the Highlands while others adopted Norman customs and culture... going along to get along with the aliens in the Lowlands, as it were.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outlaws of Medieval Scotland is one of the first studies on the relationship between the often-called Canmore dynasty (r. 1058-1290) and their detractors inside Scotland. McDonald covers a large chronological span and a multitude of primary sources to thread a compelling narrative that stresses how medieval Scotland was not the unified geopolitical entity that might have appeared to be. The Canmore dynasty ensured its grip over the Scottish throne by consolidating its power from alternative royal claimants, like the descendants of Lulach (r. 1057), Macbeth's stepson, the MacHeths. The rise of the Kingship and later the Lordship of the Isles, led by Somerled of the Isles and his descendants, is also explored in this book, although it is better explained in McDonald's first book. Overall, this book is seminal in its treatment of medieval Scotland as a kingdom expanding and consolidating itself during the central middle ages, a process that brought enemies to the Canmore dynasty.

[Joe Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book! I gave it 4 stars but the only issue I have, it jumps around too much throughout the book. You could be reading about events in the 1200s and the very next paragraph you are in the 1100s. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the author would start with Malcolm III and talk about each king all the way to Alexandra III instead of going back and forth.