Iain MacInnes | University of the Highlands and Islands - UHI (original) (raw)

Monographs by Iain MacInnes

This book sets out to examine in detail the military campaigns of this period, to uncover the histories of those who fought in the war, and to analyse the behaviour of combatants from both sides during ongoing periods of both civil war and Anglo-Scottish conflict. It analyses contemporary records and literary evidence in order to reconstruct the history of this conflict and reconsiders current debates regarding: the capabilities of the Scottish military; the nature of contemporary combat; the ambitions and abilities of fourteenth-century military leaders; and the place of chivalry on the medieval battlefield.

Journal Articles by Iain MacInnes

Scottish Historical Review, Dec 2023

Katherine Beaumont, countess of Atholl, spent several months besieged within Lochindorb Castle be... more Katherine Beaumont, countess of Atholl, spent several months besieged within Lochindorb Castle before being rescued by King Edward III of England in July 1336. The king’s campaign through the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire has been seen by modern historians as one of his more chivalric enterprises, but very little is known about Katherine herself beyond her presence at Lochindorb. This article will begin the process of uncovering more of her own history and participation in the Second Scottish War of Independence. It will evaluate the importance of her marriage to David IV Strathbogie and her motherhood of David V within Scottish succession politics, look at her experience in Scotland as it was fought over between Bruce and Balliol, and provide a revised consideration of the siege of Lochindorb. It will also explore how and why such women’s lives and actions are difficult to discern in medieval chronicles, addressing this through the use of alternative documentary and material evidence.

European Comic Art, 2018

This article considers two graphic novels that depict and deal with two separate periods during t... more This article considers two graphic novels that depict and deal with two separate periods during the Spanish Reconquista [Reconquest] that was fought during the Middle Ages by the Christian kingdoms to roll back the Muslim domination of the Iberian peninsula. Though written more than thirty years apart, El Cid (1971–1984), by Antonio Hernández Palacios, and 1212: Las Navas de Tolosa (2016), by Jesús Cano de la Iglesia, present interesting and at times quite similar views of the medieval Spanish past, even though the periods they depict were arguably very different from each other. This article analyses the ways in which both authors depict the themes of Spain, the crusading movement, and ‘otherness’ in their texts, and it considers the potential influences behind their depictions of such themes.

Estonian Yearbook of Military History, 2018

Scottish sources suggest that the Scottish king, Robert I, left instructions to his commanders on... more Scottish sources suggest that the Scottish king, Robert I, left instructions to his commanders on his deathbed for how war with England should be fought in the years to follow. Although it is unclear as to whether this “testament” was based on any sort of reality, or was simply a literary creation of later years, it is referred to commonly in Scottish historiography as something of a manual for the Scots, based upon the lessons learned by their warrior king. In the years after Robert I’s death, however, the Scots lost three battles in fourteen years, and would go on to lose more examples in the decades to follow. Historians of medieval Scotland have, therefore, deduced that those Scottish military leaders who had gathered around their king’s deathbed either ignored or forgot the advice of their king. This article aims to challenge this dominant historiographical view of the military history of this period of conflict, with particular focus given to the Second Scottish War of Independence (1332–1357). It will reconsider the extent to which the Scots adhered to the testament of “Good King Robert”, and the degree to which they continued the type of war that their king had fought during his own time. It will re-examine the main battles of this second conflict with England and re-assess the extent to which the results of these set pieces should be seen as the dominant factors in relation to this period of war. Ultimately, this article will reconsider the extent to which lessons were indeed learned by Scottish commanders during the Second War of Independence, and the degree to which Scottish commanders, rather than abandoning hard-learned past lessons, instead prosecuted a style of war that aligned closely with the warfare advocated by Robert I.

Northern Scotland, 2012

To subject the north of the country to his rule': Edward III and the 'Lochindorb chevauchée' of 1... more To subject the north of the country to his rule': Edward III and the 'Lochindorb chevauchée' of 1336 The 1336 military campaign season witnessed the last major attempt by Edward III to subjugate Scotland. The 1336 campaigns also involved the largest number of invasions during the period of intensive English involvement in Scotland between 1332 and 1338. During the course of the year Edward Balliol and Henry of Lancaster mounted a two-pronged invasion of southern Scotland and Thomas Roslin led a naval expedition to the north-east. Edward III entered Scotland in the summer and mounted his own campaign in the Scottish Highlands, following which John of Eltham raided south-west Scotland. Edward III would later return again to Scotland in October of the same year to rebuild and regarrison Bothwell Castle. The significance of this military activity has, however been denied. A.E. Prince suggested that 'it is unnecessary…to dwell on the campaigns of 1336, as they are of no magnitude and of little military value.' 1 Even Ranald Nicholson, who produced the most detailed examination of Edward III's military education in Scotland, ended his study rather abruptly in 1335, ignoring the events of 1336 altogether. 2 More recent surveys have examined in greater detail Edward III's Scottish wars and the campaigns of 1336 have been subjected to increased scrutiny. Rogers in particular provides detailed examination of the campaign but bases his analysis on well-known sources that suggest little new about the campaign. Rogers also, along with Penman and Sumption, contextualises the events of 1336 in relation to wider European affairs, in particular the possibility of French forces entering Scotland through Aberdeen. 3 This focus diminishes the Scottish context for these events and, as a result, the Lochindorb campaign itself remains an unfortunately neglected incident. 1 A.E. Prince, 'The strength of English armies in the reign of Edward III', English Historical Review, 46 (1931), 353-71, at 358. 2 R. Nicholson, Edward III and the Scots: The formative years of a military career, 1327-1335 (Oxford, 1965). 3 C.

Book Chapters by Iain MacInnes

Gender in Scotland, 1200-1800: Place, Faith and Politics, 2024

On 30 November 1335 Katherine Beaumont, countess of Atholl, entered Lochindorb Castle, an island ... more On 30 November 1335 Katherine Beaumont, countess of Atholl, entered Lochindorb Castle, an island fortress in the Scottish Highlands. On the same day, her husband, David Strathbogie, Disinherited earl of Atholl, was killed at the battle of Culblean against the forces of Andrew Murray, the Bruce guardian of Scotland. Katherine remained at Lochindorb until 15 July 1336, during which period she was besieged by Murray’s forces before being rescued by those of King Edward III of England. Modern historians of Edward have described his rescue of Katherine as a great chivalric exploit, yet the event is not well represented in the medieval chronicle narrative. Indeed, little is known about Katherine at all in comparison to other besieged noblewomen during the 1330s whose deeds were recorded far better. This chapter will reconsider Katherine Beaumont by discussing her time in Scotland and contextualising her experience alongside that of other women active in the Second Scottish War of Independence. It will also compare Katherine’s experience with historic and literary tropes to more fully understand depictions of this brief but important facet of the Anglo-Scottish conflict and Katherine’s role in it.

Peacemaking and the Restraint of Violence in High Medieval Europe , 2023

Scotland’s twelfth- and thirteenth-century kings have often been portrayed as bloodthirsty indivi... more Scotland’s twelfth- and thirteenth-century kings have often been portrayed as bloodthirsty individuals, dealing ruthlessly with all who rebelled against their rule. But this is too simplistic a representation of the complex range of options open to, and utilised by, Scottish monarchs in this period. Indeed, the possibility remained open for all but a few individuals to surrender and return to the allegiance of the king and the wider Scottish political community. This chapter argues that it was the process of submission that ensured that both sides saw the benefits of such an arrangement and that most rebels did not suffer violent repercussions. While the ritual of submission became more complicated over time, it was an increasingly well-recognised path to conflict resolution between lord and man that replicated similar approaches in contemporary kingdoms across Europe.

Drawing the Past, Volume 2: Comics and the Historical Imagination in the World, 2022

The Middle Ages are increasingly well-represented in popular culture media, and in particular in... more The Middle Ages are increasingly well-represented in popular culture media, and in particular in graphic novels and bande dessinée. French works in particular have focused on the medieval period in a number of different and fascinating works that dwell on different elements of Europe in the Middle Ages. These include depictions of: the Hundred Years War in the series Le Trône D’Argile (by Nicolas Jarry, France Richemond, Theo and Lorenzo Pieri), and in Hawkwood: Mercenarie de la Guerre de Cent Ans (by Tommy Ohtsuka); the Albigensian Crusade in Je Suis Cathare (by Pierre Makyo, Alessandro Calore and Claudia Chec); as well as the histories of several medieval kings and queens in issues of the series Ils ont fait l'histoire and Les Reines de Sang. All of these works play with their subject material in various ways, blending a realistic depiction of medieval events and society with more fantastical elements at times in the name of narrative or visual spectacle.

The series Jour J (by Jean-Pierre Pécau and Fred Duval) goes much further. Its whole intention is to posit alternative, counter-factual histories of historical events and consider what the history of the world would have been like if one key element in its past was changed. Although the series began with very modern themes, it has increasingly sought inspiration from, and depicted events relating to the Middle Ages. These include volumes covering the French assumption of the English throne in the thirteenth century, the Mongol conquest of Europe, the complete devastation of Europe from the Black Death and the rise of alternative powers in Africa, and the defeat of Ottoman forces at Constantinople in 1453. These works depict the medieval period in manifold ways, from its society and people, to its technology, fashions, architecture, attitudes and mores. At the same time they also depict an imagined past and their portrayals must also be considered in that light.

This paper analyses these ventures into alternative history to consider the ways in which the Middle Ages is depicted and represented to a modern audience in these works. It also considers the ways in which the medieval period is perceived by the author, as well as how history has been altered, to allow reflection on whether these works can aid readers’ understanding of the events depicted.

The Hundred Years War was the largest conflict of the medieval period. Lasting as it did for more... more The Hundred Years War was the largest conflict of the medieval period. Lasting as it did for more than one hundred years, involving campaigns in France, the Low Countries, Scotland and Spain, and fought by warriors from various European kingdoms and territories, it has a claim to be the first general European war. As such it can be considered as a crucible of exchange for those who took part in it, and the conflict created opportunities for warriors to travel and experience different cultures at first hand.

The Hundred Years War has also come to the fore in modern graphic novel depictions of the medieval past. As a key point in the development of both English and French national identity, it is a period with prominent resonance in both countries, and this, as well as a growing popular interest in medieval and medieval-like worlds, appears to have driven the production of a number of related works. These include Crécy (Warren Ellis and Raulo Cáceres, 2007), Le Trone d’Argile (Nicolas Jarry, France Richemond and Theo, 2006-2015), Hawkwood: Mercenaire de la Guerre de Cent Ans (Tommy Ohtsuka, 2016-2017) and Agincourt 1415 (Will Gill and Graeme Howard, 2015).

This paper intends to consider these various texts and their depiction of medieval mobility and exchange as it relates to the period of the Hundred Years War. It will focus in particular on themes of class and national identity/characteristics, and the representation of such in these sources. In so doing, it will analyse how such elements are portrayed to a modern audience, and what they tell the reader about medieval – as well as modern – society.

The Middle Ages are increasingly well-represented in popular culture media, and in particular in ... more The Middle Ages are increasingly well-represented in popular culture media, and in particular in graphic novels and bande dessinée. French works in particular have focused on the medieval period in a number of different and fascinating works that dwell on different elements of Europe in the Middle Ages. These include depictions of: the Hundred Years War in the series Le Trône D’Argile (by Nicolas Jarry, France Richemond, Theo and Lorenzo Pieri), and in Hawkwood: Mercenarie de la Guerre de Cent Ans (by Tommy Ohtsuka); the Albigensian Crusade in Je Suis Cathare (by Pierre Makyo, Alessandro Calore and Claudia Chec); as well as the histories of several medieval kings and queens in issues of the series Ils ont fait l'histoire and Les Reines de Sang. All of these works play with their subject material in various ways, blending a realistic depiction of medieval events and society with more fantastical elements at times in the name of narrative or visual spectacle.

Queenship and the Women of Westeros: Female Agency and Advice in Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, 2019

Although George R.R. Martin’s Land of Ice and Fire series, and the accompanying HBO television sh... more Although George R.R. Martin’s Land of Ice and Fire series, and the accompanying HBO television show Game of Thrones, are set in the fantasy land of Westeros, there can be little doubt of its correlation with the medieval world. The aesthetic of the show is rooted in the medieval past, and many of Game of Thrones’ elements mirror in particular the tropes of chivalric romance. The importance of medieval chivalry as an underpinning for the narrative of these texts is therefore clear. But rather than privileging the chivalric ideal, Game of Thrones instead deliberately deconstructs and ultimately undermines the construct of the medieval chivalric hero. It does so in a number of ways. One of these is through the use of various characters who act as knightly ‘others’, those who do not conform to accepted ideas of the medieval hero. Two such characters share an unlikely and somewhat prolonged relationship as they journey through war-torn Westeros – Brienne of Tarth and Jaime Lannister.

Treason: Medieval and Early Modern Adultery, Betrayal, and Shame, 2019

The kings of twelfth- and thirteenth- century Scotland faced prolonged opposition from families a... more The kings of twelfth- and thirteenth- century Scotland faced prolonged opposition from families and individuals who fought either to assert their independence from centralising authority, or for the throne itself. The insurrections that arose as a result were all successfully defeated by an increasingly confident Scottish monarchy. Current historiography describes such royal victories as bloodthirsty affairs, with Scotland’s kings exacting excessively violent revenge on the bodies of their enemies. Historians of medieval England have drawn parallels between such acts and the political violence of contemporary Wales and Ireland, with England alone providing an example of a more civilised royal response to rebellion. This chapter reconsiders the actions of Scotland’s kings and reassesses the violent paradigm that has been accepted to date, examining cases of non-violent response as balance. It suggests that, instead of being violent avengers, Scottish kings behaved in a more acceptable and accepted contemporary manner than previously understood.

Killing and Being Killed: Bodies in Battle. Perspectives on Fighters in the Middle Ages, Jan 2017

More than this, however, chronicles also provide an interesting lens through which medieval warfare can be viewed. The ways in which fourteenth-century chroniclers describe both injuries sustained and inflicted provide a different perspective on the types of damage inflicted upon the medieval body. They also document the ability of contemporaries to survive the injuries they sustained and provide some idea of the impact such disabilities incurred. Similarly, chronicle description of soldierly reactions to injury and its impact provides a valuable opportunity to investigate the warrior mindset in this period. In particular, the warrior perception of injury as a ‘badge of honour’ is an important facet of contemporary mentalité that has yet to be explored in sufficient depth. Using the fourteenth-century Anglo-Scottish conflict, therefore, as its base this paper will consider various different chronicles and their descriptions of injuries sustained by contemporary warriors. It will also consider the depictions of such injuries in their own right and consider what such accounts can tell us about medieval perceptions of the body and the reactions of contemporaries when that body was wounded in conflict.

"Cultures of War in Graphic Novels", 2018

War has long been a central issue in graphic novels, and the exploration of conflict in this medi... more War has long been a central issue in graphic novels, and the exploration of conflict in this medium has been subject to increasing academic study. This focus has been mainly concentrated, however, on contemporary conflicts. Whilst understandable, this paper argues that temporal distance from conflict does not negate its significance nor does it mean that the issues raised by the graphic novel’s treatment of the genre are of little or no relevance to the contemporary reader.

Accounts of medieval conflict have long been immortalised on the page: only the medium has changed over the centuries. Chroniclers of the period have long been recognised for their stylised descriptions of both individuals and battle, and so the graphic novel would appear a natural successor. As with any fictional rendering, however, historical veracity may at times cede to the demands of narrative or aesthetics, and readers and critics must bear in mind that modern depictions of the medieval are informed by the style, mores and culture of the present day and therefore have the ability to also misrepresent medieval warfare, or at least to portray it through a modern lens.

This paper will focus therefore on two texts depicting the Hundred Years War. While this conflict, fought in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries between the kingdoms of England and France, is not a ‘small war’ as such, the conflict can be seen as a complex series of individual campaigns that had an important impact on medieval society and on the French countryside. Indeed, the graphic novels chosen facilitate this approach by focusing on specific, short periods of the war.

Warren Ellis’s Crécy provides a warts-and-all depiction of one of the pivotal battles of the conflict focalised through an English archer who narrates his experiences in the war to the reader. More than a simple account of the battle itself, the novel also provides a depiction of medieval warfare in the Middle Ages from an English perspective. The series Le Trône d'Argile, conversely, is a product of the French bande dessinée which provides this paper with a counterpoint view of the conflict. Focusing on the fifteenth century phase of conflict this series also provides a vivid depiction of medieval warfare and combat. Both texts emphasise the violence of contemporary war, but it is important to consider the nature of this portrayal and its relevance to both medieval and modern understanding of warfare.

This paper will therefore consider the depiction of warfare in these works, focusing on the visualisation of medieval warfare and medieval behaviour. In particular, by considering conduct in war, the importance and place of chivalry, and the impact of war on both individual and society, it will provide a thorough analysis of these works and the view of the medieval that they provide to a modern audience.

Wounds and Wound Repair in Medieval Culture, ed. L. Tracy and K. DeVries, 2015

Battles and Bloodshed: Representations of War in the Middles Ages, ed. L. Bleach, K. Borrill and K. Närä, 2013

s romantic epic, The Bruce, is one of the major sources for researching the First Scottish War of... more s romantic epic, The Bruce, is one of the major sources for researching the First Scottish War of Independence (1296-1328). Barbour's work has been the subject of an ongoing discourse regarding its validity as a primary source for historical study. 1 The central issues are the work's status as a 'romanys', as defined by Barbour himself, and the text's production up to eighty years after the events it describes. Previous research has focused on Barbour's description of chivalric conduct and behaviour, with the suggestion that Barbour confounds traditional representations of chivalry by privileging military expediency and success over acts of personal heroism. 2 The style of warfare practised by Robert I and his commanders was not traditionally chivalric. Though Barbour writes in a stylised romantic fashion, the guerrilla raids and stratagems adopted during the Scottish Wars of Independence are depicted in a realistic manner and this emphasis on verisimilitude is reflected in his sources. Barbour writes that The Bruce is based in part on oral testimony, garnered both from men who fought in the campaigns described and their descendants. 3 Other medieval writers, such as Jean Froissart and Thomas Gray, utilised similar sources of information reflecting a contemporary desire for realistic depictions of warfare. 4

The Soldier Experience in the Fourteenth Century, ed. A.R. Bell, A. Curry, A. Chapman, A. King and D. Simpkin, 2011

During the Scottish Wars of Independence many Scots chose, or were forced to choose, the apparent... more During the Scottish Wars of Independence many Scots chose, or were forced to choose, the apparent security of English allegiance. In the years when Edward I, for example, appeared most likely to win his war with Scotland, many opted to enter the English king's peace in the hope of retaining their lands, rights and privileges under the new administrative order. This acknowledgement of the likelihood of an Edwardian victory prompted a practical response from most leading Scottish figures.

England and Scotland at War: New Perspectives, ed. A. King and D. Simpkin, 2012

The resumption of Anglo-Scottish conflict in 1332-3 brought with it a replication of some of the ... more The resumption of Anglo-Scottish conflict in 1332-3 brought with it a replication of some of the major issues of the First War of Independence, reigniting the Scottish civil conflict between Bruce and Balliol. This manifested itself in the invasion of Edward Balliol and his Disinherited allies, whose early success encouraged other disaffected Scots to rally to their support as they sought to gain possession of Scottish territories to which they retained claims. 1 The active entry of Edward III into the war in 1333 also brought about a return of large-scale English invasions of Scotland over a prolonged period, with the subsequent devastation that accompanied such forays. The involvement of Edward III and the participation of his armies in the Balliol attempts to regain the throne came at a cost, and 1 The Disinherited were a group of English and Anglo-Scottish nobles and others whose lands in Scotland had been forfeited as a result of their failure to support the Bruce cause during the reign of Robert I. Although raised during the Anglo-Scottish peace negotiations of 1327-8, the issue of outstanding Disinherited claims to Scottish lands was not resolved. The Disinherited party thereafter formed a close association with the young Edward III, and were prominent in the 1330 coup that saw him overthrow the ruling minority government and seize power. Sonja Cameron and Alasdair Ross, 'The Treaty of Edinburgh and the Disinherited (1328-1332)', History lxxxiv (1999), pp. 237-56; Caroline Shenton, 'Edward III and the Coup of 1330', in The Age of Edward III, ed. J.S. Bothwell (Woodbridge, 2001). Edward III demanded £2,000 worth of Scottish land as reimbursement for his efforts. 2 At Newcastle in February 1334, the English king received his reward. The sheriffdoms of Berwick, Roxburgh, Peebles, Selkirk, Dumfries and Edinburgh (the latter with its associated constabularies of Haddington and Linlithgow) became the possessions of Edward III, as southern Scotland was effectively annexed to England. 3 An English administrative apparatus was quickly established in the region, and individual sheriffs reported to the head of English administration for Scotland at Berwick. 4 For the period of the 1330s there exist, therefore, detailed records produced by the new English administration in these areas. These records include the accounts of those same English sheriffs as they sought to establish control over their new territories. For the period from 1335 until 1337 they contain lists of territories from which the sheriffs were expected to collect revenue due to the English Crown. The records themselves have existed in published form for quite some time within the appendices of volume three of Bain's Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland. 5 Despite the potential significance of these records, Bain's at-times inaccurate recording of documentary evidence has resulted in these sources being used relatively sparingly. Many historians have utilised them, but usually as a source of historical detail within a larger study of specific geographical areas or individuals and families. 6 No-one has, as yet, examined the 2 Foedera (RC edn), II, ii, 847-8; Ranald Nicholson, Edward III and the Scots. The Formative Years of a Military Career, 1327-1335 (Oxford, 1965), pp. 97-9. 3 Foedera (RC edn), II, ii, 888-90; Nicholson, Edward III and the Scots, pp. 158-62. 4 Rot. Scot., i, 271, 275, 276. 5 CDS, iii, appendices iii and vi. The original records are held in the TNA, E 101/331/21 and E 101/331/22. 6 See, for example, Richard D. Oram, 'Bruce, Balliol and the Lordship of Galloway: South-West Scotland and the Wars of Independence', TDGNHAS, 3rd ser., lxvii (1992), pp. 29-47; Bruce Webster, 'The English Occupation of Dumfriesshire in the Fourteenth Century', TDGNHAS, 3rd ser., xxxv (1956-7), pp. 64-80; idem, 'Scotland without a King', in Medieval Scotland. Crown, Lordship and

A. King and M. Penman, eds., England and Scotland in the Fourteenth Century: New Perspectives (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer, 2007), 2007

Shock and awe': the use of terror as a psychological weapon during the Bruce -

Podcasts by Iain MacInnes

You're Dead to Me, 2024

In this episode, Greg Jenner is joined in medieval Scotland by Dr Iain MacInnes and comedian Marj... more In this episode, Greg Jenner is joined in medieval Scotland by Dr Iain MacInnes and comedian Marjolein Robertson to learn all about Scottish independence hero and king Robert Bruce. Robert grew up in a time of political turmoil, with multiple noblemen competing to be king of Scots – including his own grandfather. But after Edward I of England declared himself overlord of Scotland, Robert began a fight not just to be king, but to overthrow English control too. This episode charts the twists and turns of Robert’s life, taking in his adventures in Ireland, his quarrels with the papacy, his unlikely alliance with the English crown, and his epic military victories.

Scottish Historical Review, Dec 2023

European Comic Art, 2018

Estonian Yearbook of Military History, 2018

Northern Scotland, 2012

Gender in Scotland, 1200-1800: Place, Faith and Politics, 2024

Peacemaking and the Restraint of Violence in High Medieval Europe , 2023

Drawing the Past, Volume 2: Comics and the Historical Imagination in the World, 2022

The Middle Ages are increasingly well-represented in popular culture media, and in particular in ... more The Middle Ages are increasingly well-represented in popular culture media, and in particular in graphic novels and bande dessinée. French works in particular have focused on the medieval period in a number of different and fascinating works that dwell on different elements of Europe in the Middle Ages. These include depictions of: the Hundred Years War in the series Le Trône D’Argile (by Nicolas Jarry, France Richemond, Theo and Lorenzo Pieri), and in Hawkwood: Mercenarie de la Guerre de Cent Ans (by Tommy Ohtsuka); the Albigensian Crusade in Je Suis Cathare (by Pierre Makyo, Alessandro Calore and Claudia Chec); as well as the histories of several medieval kings and queens in issues of the series Ils ont fait l'histoire and Les Reines de Sang. All of these works play with their subject material in various ways, blending a realistic depiction of medieval events and society with more fantastical elements at times in the name of narrative or visual spectacle.

Queenship and the Women of Westeros: Female Agency and Advice in Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, 2019

Treason: Medieval and Early Modern Adultery, Betrayal, and Shame, 2019

Killing and Being Killed: Bodies in Battle. Perspectives on Fighters in the Middle Ages, Jan 2017

"Cultures of War in Graphic Novels", 2018

Wounds and Wound Repair in Medieval Culture, ed. L. Tracy and K. DeVries, 2015

Battles and Bloodshed: Representations of War in the Middles Ages, ed. L. Bleach, K. Borrill and K. Närä, 2013

The Soldier Experience in the Fourteenth Century, ed. A.R. Bell, A. Curry, A. Chapman, A. King and D. Simpkin, 2011

England and Scotland at War: New Perspectives, ed. A. King and D. Simpkin, 2012

A. King and M. Penman, eds., England and Scotland in the Fourteenth Century: New Perspectives (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer, 2007), 2007

Shock and awe': the use of terror as a psychological weapon during the Bruce -

You're Dead to Me, 2024

House of the Lion

Talk about accelerated development. Robert the Bruce's son David is already a married ‘man’ at fo... more Talk about accelerated development. Robert the Bruce's son David is already a married ‘man’ at four (his wife was a positively elderly seven-year-old), then at 5, after his father's death, he becomes a king. He's barely old enough to look after a hamster. Before you know it, the Balliols sniff an opportunity and are back. They crown their heir at Scone as Edward I, King of Scots. The nearly-deposed little King and Queen are in terrible danger and flee to France.

The Bruce dynasty now fights for its survival against two Edwards on the Scottish and English thrones, plus a peeved force known as ‘The Disinherited’, the Lords and Barons who sided against Robert Bruce. Castles will be defended by ladies on either side - the gallant Christian Bruce at Kildrummy, her Balliol counterpart Katherine Beaumont at the island fortress of Lochindorb. Eventually oor Edward I gets caught napping and is ambushed in his nightshirt. English Eddie realises that Scottish Eddie is another Balliol Bust and his support subsides. Scotland has turned into a war zone, famine follows fighting and innocent peasants pay the price for their overlords' ambition. Winter has definitely come.

Meanwhile, over in France, David is growing up and learning siege-craft. The gallant Bruce fightback has brought Edward’s enemies to the table and the French king brokers a deal. David and his young wife Queen Joan finally land back in Scotland at Inverbervie, north of Montrose, on 2 June 1341. They think it’s all over. But oh! It’s definitely not!

Presenters: Len Pennie and Susan Morrison
Producers: Louise Yeoman and Lynsey Moyes
Executive Producer: Peter McManus
Music & Sound Design: Gav Murchie
Commissioning editor for BBC Scotland: Gareth Hydes

House of the Lion: A Blood Soaked Throne, 2024

Susan Morrison and Len Pennie explore the bloody struggles for the throne of medieval Scotland wh... more Susan Morrison and Len Pennie explore the bloody struggles for the throne of medieval Scotland where keeping it for you and your heirs meant being as effective in bed as in battle. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0h8c7lk

SHIHR Seminar Series, 2024

The Second Scottish War of Independence (1332-1357) saw Scotland return to a state last seen in 1... more The Second Scottish War of Independence (1332-1357) saw Scotland return to a state last seen in 1306-1310, when the civil war between Bruce and Baliol/Comyn was arguably more important than the war with England. One of the chief antagonists in this renewed conflict was David Strathbogie, chiefly claimant to the earldom of Atholl, but through his Comyn grandfather also to the lordships of Badenoch and Lochaber, and even to the crown itself. This talk will reconsider Strathbogie’s career in Scotland, his potential ambitions for the Scottish north, and his achievements during a period when anything may have been possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsF5lxwfbb0

The Highlands and Islands continue to be a region of Scotland whose contribution to the Scottish ... more The Highlands and Islands continue to be a region of Scotland whose contribution to the Scottish Wars of Independence (1296-1357) is not as well-known as it could be. This paper takes as its basis two of the northern earldoms of Scotland - those of Ross and Sutherland - and considers the impact of war on these territories; the involvement of their earls in the conflict; and the more popular involvement of Highlanders in the wars more generally, as well as the extent to which war affected them.

Modern depictions of the medieval period in comic books are becoming increasingly popular, and pr... more Modern depictions of the medieval period in comic books are becoming increasingly popular, and provide readers in the current age with one view of the past. This is a view, of course, that strongly reflects present concerns, attitudes and realities, and so it is interesting and, indeed, vital to analyse such texts to understand what is being said in such works. This paper provides something of a brief overview of the depiction of medieval events in comics, as well as a short focus on the Hundred Years' War as a particularly active theme around which comic books are increasingly focused. It then goes on to focus in on one particular comic book examples. This is the story "Massacre at Agincourt" from EC Comics' "Two-Fisted Tales" from 1951, and the paper considers the context around its inclusion in a comic which largely focuses on events in the Korean War and World War II.

Scotland's medieval history was dominated by its experience during the Wars of Independence which... more Scotland's medieval history was dominated by its experience during the Wars of Independence which ran from 1296 to around 1357. During this conflict, Scotland suffered periods of prolonged occupation, with its towns the key points of defence and supply as English kings sought to conquer the kingdom to the north. The period of the Second Scottish War of Independence (1332-1357) has not been studied as consistently or in as much detail as its more famous forebear. And yet this was a period, again, when English armies marched north to conquer parts of Scotland and occupied Scottish urban centres. This time, however, the English did so in alliance with a Scottish ally-Edward Balliol, claimant to the Scottish throne. This altered the political and military situation and resulted in Scottish towns being controlled either by English or pro-Balliol forces. Of particular interest is the reaction of these towns to these periods of occupation, and the impact war and occupation had on these urban communities. Even in those towns controlled by English forces, record evidence suggests that the picture was complex. Scots, for example, served as soldiers in English garrisons at Stirling, Edinburgh and Roxburgh. Traders continued to load and export goods from English-held Leith and Berwick. And the people of Perth appear to have had a very interesting relationship with their English captain, who worked hard to ensure that the town and its people were supplied with food from the English crown. Of course, not all people acquiesced so readily with English forces, and other examples demonstrate the extent to which opposition to English/Balliol control remained a factor during the principal years of occupation. This paper will, therefore, consider the Scottish urban experience during this period and analyse the extent to which Scottish towns were affected by war and occupation, and the involvement of townsmen in these events. I

I would argue that most people's understanding of the Scottish wars of Independence lies with the... more I would argue that most people's understanding of the Scottish wars of Independence lies with the figures of Wallace and Bruce, with the battles at Stirling Bridge and here at Bannockburn, and that less is known about what happened afterwards. In part this is understandable. The first war was written about far more in medieval sources than the events that followed. As a consequence it attracted greater focus by historians as there was more to write about. Secondly, the first war has a good number of heroes. It has Scottish battlefield victories. And it has exciting material like John Barbour's Bruce to act as the basic narrative for what historians have come to write. For those looking to construct a heroic history of little-old Scotland's fight against its larger and more powerful neighbour to the south, a fight it ultimately "won", there is little better opportunity. And such has been perpetuated and represented in modern sources, including those starring either an Australian or an American. And, to be perfectly honest, at first glance the war that commenced in 1332 appears to lack all of these things. Instead of a unified Scotland acting against the English invader, we instead have a resumption of civil war in the kingdom. Figures such as Wallace and Bruce, Randolph and Douglas, appear lacking in amongst a cast of Scottish nobles who fought for themselves, and whose loyalty was a fluid thing. Battlefield defeats are the order of the day, with the large-scale and less-known failures at Dupplin Moor, Halidon Hill and Neville's Cross creating a catalogue of disaster that has seen many historians struggle to understand why Scottish commanders apparently forgot the lessons of Robert I. And there is no doubt that such events happened. But at the same time we have to remember that the context in which they occurred was also different. Robert I gained immeasurably from fighting against the weak and militarily incapable Edward II, a king with little interest in Scotland, and who showed little ability to affect change when he did cross the border. Scotland's leaders in the second conflict faced a very different enemy and a more

This paper considers the life and career of Earl Duncan (IV) of Fife, focusing in particular on h... more This paper considers the life and career of Earl Duncan (IV) of Fife, focusing in particular on his military career and service to provide an alternative view of an often maligned historical figure.

The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed sat in a particularly important position in regards its access to ... more The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed sat in a particularly important position in regards its access to European markets and the continental trade that made it a rich Scottish burgh. When war began between England and Scotland in 1296, that geographical location-situated as it was along the Anglo-Scottish frontier and on the principal invasion route of English armies along the east coast-made it a prime target. Its early capture by the armies of Edward I in 1296 and the accompanying massacre of townspeople presaged the long-term importance of the town to both sides for both strategic and economic reasons, an importance that stretched on into the fifteenth century when it finally became part of England. This importance is reinforced by the fact that the Scottish recapture of the town in 1318 was not accompanied by the usual Brucean strategy of defensive dismantlement to deny its occupation by the English. Instead, the defences erected by Edward I were retained so that the town could be held by the Scottish crown and its revenues used to help finance the war effort and aid the Bruce government in its search for economic stability. This importance of the town to the Scots is reinforced by the determination with which the guardian of the kingdom in 1333, Archibald Douglas, sought to retain it when it was besieged by Anglo-Scottish forces in that year. While the Bruce Scots attempted to draw away the besiegers, the eventual and fateful decision to fight the battle of Halidon Hill to effect its relief surely proves that, for the Bruce Scots, as well as for Edward III and his Balliol allies, the town was crucial to their plans for the future. The English capture of the town in 1333, and its confirmation as English territory in early 1334, altered the political situation within the burgh for the third time in less than thirty years and had a very real impact on those who lived within it. This paper will consider what changed in this period and what effects this had on the local population as a result.

Scottish History has often dwelled on the extent to which Robert I of Scotland unified the kingdo... more Scottish History has often dwelled on the extent to which Robert I of Scotland unified the kingdom under his leadership and successfully defended its independence from English overlordship and conquest. What this view often overlooks, however, is that the wars also contained a large degree of civil conflict within Scotland in which an alternative dynasty was promoted in opposition to the Bruce seizure of the throne and his family's continued possession of the crown. The Second Scottish War of Independence (1332-1357) witnessed a recurrence of this conflict and arguably the successful prosecution of the Balliol claim - even if only for a short time - which resulted in the inauguration of King Edward (Balliol) of Scotland in 1332 in opposition to the succession of King David II (Bruce). This paper considers those who supported the Balliol claim, often elided in Scottish history, and the extent of Balliol support in Scotland during this period.

The history of the Scottish Wars of Independence is often dominated by focus on Southern Scotland... more The history of the Scottish Wars of Independence is often dominated by focus on Southern Scotland. While there is little doubt that the Scottish south was most directly effected by the impact of war, there can be little dispute that the conflict was also a national effort. It is, then, important to consider the impact of war on regions that appear at first sight to be less involved in wartime events. This paper considers the involvement of the Scottish north and northerners in the Scottish Wars of Independence by consideration of the earldom of Sutherland.

Thomas Gray, whose words are quoted above, was a soldier on the Anglo-Scottish frontier and a sea... more Thomas Gray, whose words are quoted above, was a soldier on the Anglo-Scottish frontier and a seasoned veteran of numerous engagements with the Scots. As such he could comment with confidence on Scottish military ability. If he perceived in the Scottish invasion of Ireland the makings of a good chivalric romance, he was not however the one to write it. Indeed, English sources more generally provided unsurprisingly negative coverage of Bruce devastation and destruction in famine-ravaged Ireland.

Irish sources were at times more scathing of Scottish actions, but even they spent little time discussing about Scottish activities. While the death of Edward Bruce at Faughart in 1318 was celebrated, their invective against the erstwhile king of Ireland appears at odds with the lack of detail given to accounts of Scottish campaigning. Reading through the Irish annals, moreover, gives the impression that the Scots were simply an additional element in an already complex series of Gaelic and Anglo-Irish rebellions, campaigns and raids. If this was the case, and Bruce’s greatest crime was to light the touch paper for renewed Irish unrest, then is it possible that the overriding view of the Scottish campaigns and the damage committed during their course is over-exaggerated?
Was Gray in fact right to suggest that the Scottish campaigns in Ireland were a chivalric tour de force and the stuff of literary romance? Scottish chronicle accounts would certainly suggest so, and it is John Barbour’s Bruce that provides the most compelling chivalric representation of the invasion. It is, then, the purpose of this paper to reconsider the actions of Bruce forces in Ireland and, in particular, the representation of these acts in contemporary sources. It will re-evaluate the extent to which chivalry played a role in Scottish behaviour, and the depiction of these campaigns overall.

According to Scottish sources of the sixteenth century Robert I, the king who had led Scotland to... more According to Scottish sources of the sixteenth century Robert I, the king who had led Scotland to freedom from English domination during the first Scottish War of Independence, called his nobles to his death bed in his last days. Here he presented to them his testament. In this, so it is said, the king provided advice to those who would oversee the minority of his son when he succeeded. Included in this testament was military advice: the Scots should always fight on foot; they should use the countryside as a means of defence against their foes; they should store provisions in secret places and practice slash and burn tactics to deny supplies to the enemy; and they should hide in hard-to-reach places during English invasions, but emerge and attack the enemy when it was scattered, or in withdrawal from Scotland. Robert I’s advice was, then, to continue the guerrilla tactics with which he had ultimately succeeded against the English.
In reality, however, those same Scottish nobles appear to have taken little regard of the dying king’s advice and, within four years of his death, had fought two large-scale pitched battles which were ultimately disastrous. The historiography of this period focuses, then, on the perceived errors of this new generation of Scottish commanders who failed to learn the lessons of the previous war. Moreover, the historiography focuses on the fact that these lessons were themselves learned by Robert I when, it is argued, he altered his own tactics from ‘conventional’ warfare in the early years of his rebellion, to ‘unconventional’ guerrilla tactics in the years which followed. Little has been attempted, however, to question this view of medieval Scottish warfare.
This paper aims to challenge therefore the dominant historiographical views of the military history of this period of conflict. It will reconsider the extent to which the Scots altered their military approach from past conflicts, as well as the extent to which lessons were learned during this particular period of warfare. Instead of Scottish commanders abandoning hard-learned past lessons, it will be argued that the majority of Scottish military actions and campaigns aligned with the guerrilla warfare advocated by Bruce.

The impact and legacy of Scottish raiding of Northern England during the First Scottish War of In... more The impact and legacy of Scottish raiding of Northern England during the First Scottish War of Independence has been the subject of significant study. English evidence in particular provides quite detailed accounts of the extent of the raids of Robert Bruce and his commanders, the amount of money and goods taken, and the impact that such raids had on the economy and society of this region. Considerably less analysis has focused, however, on the raids undertaken by Scottish commanders during the next phase of conflict, in particular in the later 1330s and 1340s.

In part this is because the Neville’s Cross campaign (1346), which acts as an endpoint for this phase of raiding, casts a long shadow and affects the perception of this period of Scottish warfare. Moreover, the relatively short duration of this raiding phase has ensured that it remains a less-appreciated element in discussions of this period of Anglo-Scottish conflict. I would argue, however, that these raids deserve to be re-examined in order to better understand the nature, extent and impact of these attacks on the English countryside during a period when English focus was increasingly drawn towards France.

In particular, this paper will consider the depiction of these raids in English sources and the picture that the available evidence presents of these incursions. It is the contention of this paper that: the English north returned to something like the dark days of the 1310s, and that its people quite seamlessly recommenced paying protection money to Scottish raiders to be left in peace; that local lords could not be depended upon to defend the region from Scottish depredations; and that this was a period when the English crown largely abandoned the English north to its fate and northern Englishmen to deal with the Scots as best they could.

A chivalric hero should be honourable, loyal and brave and while many of the knightly characters in Game of Thrones appear to possess these qualities, it is repeatedly revealed that their adherence to the chivalric ideal is largely superficial. For example, Ser Jaime Lannister is the embodiment of the chivalric warrior in his ‘very handsome armour.’ Lannister is nevertheless also a corrupt, incestuous murderer who would kill a child in order to conceal his true nature. In contrast, Lord Eddard Stark is a man who, despite living in the wild north and despising the ritual and niceties of court, lives by the chivalric code, even to the detriment of his own wellbeing. His death at the hands of the Lannisters, and the conflict between their two families, is a metaphor for the conflict between the chivalric ideal and its reality.

It is, then, the purpose of this paper to examine the depiction of the knight and warrior in Game of Thrones and relate this to medieval depictions, both ideal and real, of the chivalric hero. Considering comparative examples from medieval literature as well as from contemporary warfare, this paper will negotiate both medieval and modern concepts of chivalry in seeking to consider the extent to which Westeros is informed by medieval codes of behaviour amongst its protagonists.

Although Anglo-Scottish warfare has been subject to a great deal of analysis, the practical reali... more Although Anglo-Scottish warfare has been subject to a great deal of analysis, the practical realities of contemporary combat continue to elude historians. In particular, almost nothing has been written about the injuries sustained by fourteenth-century warriors. In part this is because of a relative lack of archaeological evidence to which fifteenth-century historians have access from the bodies discovered on the Towton battlefield. Archaeological evidence is not, however, the only means by which historians can assess the nature of injuries sustained by medieval combatants. Medieval chronicles were often written by men who embraced the chivalric mores of their day. This involved quite detailed descriptions of conflict, including the injuries sustained by the heroes of their works. In addition to this, some English and Scottish works were written by, informed by, or created for the very warriors that had themselves experienced the realities of warfare. As such, then, these works are a largely untapped source of information on this facet of medieval warfare.
More than this, however, chronicles also provide an interesting lens through which medieval warfare can be viewed. The ways in which fourteenth-century chroniclers describe both injuries sustained and inflicted provide a different perspective on the types of damage inflicted upon the medieval body. They also document the ability of contemporaries to survive the injuries they sustained and provide some idea of the impact such disabilities incurred. Similarly, chronicle description of soldierly reactions to injury and its impact provides a valuable opportunity to investigate the warrior mindset in this period. In particular, the warrior perception of injury as a ‘badge of honour’ is an important facet of contemporary mentalité that has yet to be explored in sufficient depth. Using the fourteenth-century Anglo-Scottish conflict, therefore, as its base this paper will consider various different chronicles and their descriptions of injuries sustained by contemporary warriors. It will also consider the depictions of such injuries in their own right and consider what such accounts can tell us about medieval perceptions of the body and the reactions of contemporaries when that body was wounded in conflict.

Almost a century ago, Evan Macleod Barron wrote his book The Scottish war of independence: a crit... more Almost a century ago, Evan Macleod Barron wrote his book The Scottish war of independence: a critical study (1914). In amongst the literary flourishes that informed his style of writing, Barron revealed an area of study that had been largely ignored in previous works – the history of the Scottish War of Independence as it related to northern Scotland. In particular, he brought to light the understudied figure of Andrew Moray of Bothwell. Rescuing him from his previous position in the shadow of William Wallace, Barron created a new area of interest within studies of this crucial period in Scottish medieval history. In spite of this, however, Moray remains a figure on the periphery of Scottish History. Moreover, modern historiography has extended the period of the Scottish Wars of Independence beyond the endpoint adopted by Barron, that of 1328. As we enter the period of the Second War of Independence, another Andrew Moray appears as a figure fighting for Scotland’s freedom from England, but remains a figure few people know much about. This talk will, therefore, consider the place of these two men – father and son – within the history of this period and attempt to fully examine their importance as leaders of Scottish resistance to English conquest.

Abstract: The kings of twelfth- and thirteenth- century Scotland faced prolonged opposition from ... more Abstract: The kings of twelfth- and thirteenth- century Scotland faced prolonged opposition from families and individuals who fought either to assert their independence from centralising authority, or for the throne itself. The insurrections that arose as a result were all successfully defeated by an increasingly confident Scottish monarchy. Current historiography describes such royal victories as bloodthirsty affairs, with Scotland’s kings exacting excessively violent revenge on the bodies of their enemies. Historians of medieval England have drawn parallels between such acts and the political violence of contemporary Wales and Ireland, with England alone providing an example of a more civilised royal response to rebellion. This article reconsiders the actions of Scotland’s kings and reassesses the violent paradigm that has been accepted to date, examining cases of non-violent response as balance. It suggests that, instead of being violent avengers, Scottish kings behaved in a more acceptable and accepted contemporary manner than previously understood.

Fourteenth-century Scotland was a kingdom dominated by war. The Scottish Wars of Independence, wh... more Fourteenth-century Scotland was a kingdom dominated by war. The Scottish Wars of Independence, which began in 1296, continued through periods of active combat and periodic truces for over one hundred years. During this time various parts of Scotland came under the control of English forces, armies representing both sides of the conflict roamed through the enemy countryside, and permanent garrison forces were embedded in enemy territory. Such prolonged and large-scale conflict involved huge numbers of troops who, like those uninvolved directly with military service, were part of a society that had at its core Christian beliefs. Some historical analysis has been undertaken on the religiosity of particular individuals, especially contemporary monarchs, and the demonstration of their own personal religious devotion. Other work has focussed on the religious provision provided to English armies during the period of active warfare in France during the Hundred Years’ War. More detail on the specifics of personal religion is available through extant record evidence of English and Scottish participation in the Wars of Independence. Of particular interest is the light shone upon the nature of the relationship between the warrior and his own piety when involved in wartime behaviour. The actions and methods of contemporary warfare may often have been at odds with religious notions of acceptable behaviour but that did not mean that those involved in day-to-day military activities were any less pious as a result. Indeed, those faced by possible death on a regular basis were perhaps more likely to fall back upon religiosity as a means of protection against the dangers of conflict. It is the intention of this paper to examine in detail examples of such piety in relation to the Second Scottish Wars of Independence, drawing on examples of piety from combatants on both sides of the conflict.

Research in Scottish History, 2020

BBC History Extra Podcasts, 2020

In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Iain... more In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Iain MacInnes responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the Anglo-Scottish military conflicts of the 13 and 14 centuries.

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Ep. 5: Fraser - Scottish Clansman, 2020

The Scottish Highlanders rank as one of the world's greatest military legends, from their origins... more The Scottish Highlanders rank as one of the world's greatest military legends, from their origins in ancient Celtic society through the glory days of battles both for and against the English. Not even the great might of the Roman Empire was able to reach the heart of the Highlanders' territory. Explore all their ancient war heritage up to the battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Comics Forum, 2020

A consideration and overview of the rise in depictions of the Middle Ages in continental European... more A consideration and overview of the rise in depictions of the Middle Ages in continental European comics and graphic novels over the last decade.

Season 2, Episode 5, 2019

Rafał Zawierucha, an actor who has just played Roman Polanski with Quentin Tarantino, embarks on ... more Rafał Zawierucha, an actor who has just played Roman Polanski with Quentin Tarantino, embarks on a journey through Europe in the footsteps of the greatest film works. In the second installment of the Canal + Discovery show, he will show viewers places where they were shot.

Rise of the Clans [BBC TV Series], 2018

A blood-soaked saga of battles and feuds, loyalty and betrayal, love and death set against the co... more A blood-soaked saga of battles and feuds, loyalty and betrayal, love and death set against the country’s wild landscape.

OnHistory [IHR Blog], 2017

With the release of ‘Outlaw King’, the upcoming film ‘Robert the Bruce’ and the long shadow cast ... more With the release of ‘Outlaw King’, the upcoming film ‘Robert the Bruce’ and the long shadow cast by ‘Braveheart’, the wars for Scottish independence of the fourteenth century are being re-fought in modern popular culture, just as they were later in the middle ages, according to Iain MacInnes.

Many of us have by now watched the new Netflix release, Outlaw King. And many on social media hav... more Many of us have by now watched the new Netflix release, Outlaw King. And many on social media have had questions about the film, the period and its history. As I have written elsewhere “historical accuracy” is a problematic consideration, not least because medieval sources never provide a truly “accurate” portrayal of the past. All historical sources, upon which films like Outlaw King are based, were written with a specific purpose in mind, for a specific audience, and with the intention of telling one very specific version of history. This makes it no more accurate, then, than anything we see on the screen. Still, we historians work to interpret the history that has come down to us. As such, we can at least compare Outlaw King to the prevailing historical narrative to sort out what is likely from what is fantasy...

With the new Netflix film Outlaw King released this month, Dr Iain MacInnes of the University of ... more With the new Netflix film Outlaw King released this month, Dr Iain MacInnes of the University of the Highlands and Islands Centre for History considers the historical accuracy of Medieval Scotland on film...

Press and Journal, 2018

Directed by David Mackenzie and starring Hollywood’s Chris Pine, more usually found in blockbuste... more Directed by David Mackenzie and starring Hollywood’s Chris Pine, more usually found in blockbuster franchises such as Star Trek and Wonder Woman, Outlaw King is one of a number of medieval historical dramas soon to make their way to our screens. But, just as the trailer for the upcoming Mary Queen of Scots film prompted criticism across social media for apparent historical inaccuracy after it appeared to show Mary and Elizabeth meeting face to face (an event most historians agree never took place), so too will Outlaw King find itself under similar scrutiny...

How accurately do graphic novels depict medieval warfare and chivalry in real battles?

Those who fought in this second war deserve as much recognition as those from the First War of In... more Those who fought in this second war deserve as much recognition as those from the First War of Independence.

Northern Scotland, Jan 1, 2011

Drawing the Past, Volume 2, 2022

Cultures of War in Graphic Novels

Scottish Historical Review, 2010

Spanish Comics, 2020

Queenship and the Women of Westeros, 2020

The character of Brienne of Tarth is one of the most interesting in George R.R. Martin's series A... more The character of Brienne of Tarth is one of the most interesting in George R.R. Martin's series A Song of Ice and Fire and its subsequent HBO television adaptation, A Game of Thrones. Brienne is a woman who occupies a classically male medieval and fantasy position as a warrior knight: armed, mounted, and capable of defeating the elite of the Westerosi chivalric community. As such, she stands apart from many of the other women depicted in the series. 1 Brienne has been a focus for a good deal of academic consideration, but definition of her position and status in the series is difficult. 2 Analyses of the character have focused largely on her physical appearance and on what she represents within a gender or feminist context. She is, for example, "masculine-identified," a "genderqueer knight," an "Amazon … virgin warrior," a "lesbian-like" character, "a lady knight defined by virginity and chastity," and "a freak," as well as "tall, muscular, flat-chested, unattractive, [and] basically mannish." 3 I would argue,

European Comic Art, 2018

Killing and Being Killed: Bodies in Battle, 2017

England and Scotland at War, c.1296-c.1513, 2012

Medieval, military, arms, armour, Barbour, Bruce, Scotland, Scottish Wars of Independence

The earliest accounts of the king's deathbed scene suggest no last-minute instruction to his men ... more The earliest accounts of the king's deathbed scene suggest no last-minute instruction to his men about fighting the future war. Instead, the accounts focus on Bruce's determination to secure the safety of his soul, and for his nobles to choose one from among them who would take the king's heart on crusade (

The Second Scottish War of Independence began in 1332, only four years after the previous conflic... more The Second Scottish War of Independence began in 1332, only four years after the previous conflict had ended. Fought once more for the continued freedom of Scotland from English conquest, the war also witnessed a revival of Scottish civil conflict as the Bruce-Balliol fight for the Scottish crown recommenced once more. Breaking out sporadically until peace was agreed in 1357, the Second Scottish War is a conflict that resides still in the shadow of that which preceded it: compared to the wars of William Wallace and Robert Bruce, Edward I and Edward II, this second phase of Anglo-Scottish warfare is neither well-known nor well-understood. This book sets out to examine in detail the military campaigns of this period, to uncover the histories of those who fought in the war, and to analyse the behaviour of combatants from both sides during ongoing periods of both civil war and Anglo-Scottish conflict. It analyses contemporary records and literary evidence in order to reconstruct the history of this conflict and reconsiders current debates regarding: the capabilities of the Scottish military; the nature of contemporary combat; the ambitions and abilities of fourteenth-century military leaders; and the place of chivalry on the medieval battlefield.