History of Scotland

The history of Scotland begins there is approximately 10 000 years, with the arrival of the first human populations in current the Scotland after the end of the Glaciation of Würm. Many artefacts of civilizations of the ages of the stone, of bronze and of iron were found, but little present traces of writing.

The written history of Scotland starts with the arrival of the Romains in Great Britain. They occupy and manage the territories of the England and the current Wales under the name of province of Brittany. The Romans name Calédonie the ground extending to north from Brittany, and populates it which saw the Pictes there. In the ancient culture gréco-Roman, Scotland passes for a peripheral country, in margin of the projections coming from the Mediterranean world . However, more historical knowledge on this area accumulates, more one notes the precocity and the advanced degree of civilization in this area, the sea routes playing a determining role.

The long conflict which opposes Scotland to England, its powerful neighbor of the south, is the cause of the wars of independence of Scotland which force the country to tie commercial links, cultural and often strategic with a certain number of European powers. Following the Act of Union of 1707 which enables him to benefit from the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial revolution, Scotland becomes one of the principal arts centres, commercial and industrialists of Europe of the 19th century. The economic decline following the Second world war is particularly acute, even if recently the country profits from a certain economic and cultural revival, thanks in particular to a sector of finances under development, to the extraction of the Pétrole and Natural gas of the the North Sea, and finally to the re-establishment of the Scottish Parlement.

Prehistoric establishments

The Roman invasion

The written history of Scotland begins with the arrival of the Roman in current the Great Britain. Even if civilizations pre-Romans use the writing occasionally, mainly with a commemorative aim, they are of oral tradition. With the fall of the Druidisme (in particular due to war, of famine then its prohibition by the Christian missionaries), these people lose the majority of their traditions. Only descriptions of Scotland pre-Roman from which we lay out are those which Pythéas delivers in memories written after having achieved the Circumnavigation of the British Isles, between -330 and -320.

The conquest of Great Britain by the Romain Empire begins in the year 43. After a series of military victories in the south of the island, the forces carried out by Julius Agricola enter to Scotland in 79, where they meet a savage resistance. In 82 or 83, Agricola sends a fleet of galères around the coasts Scottish and reached the the Orkneys. In 83, the Romans overcome the tribes calédoniennes with the battles of Mons Graupius. Its partisans with Rome proclaim that it overcame all the tribes of Great Britain.

This account, which depends on a single source - writings of Tacite, son-in-law of Agricola - is contradicted by precise datings carried out using the Dendrochronologie, suggesting that the occupation of the south of Scotland began before the arrival from Agricola. The exact date imports peu : Rome maintains a military presence, economic and social significant along its northern border, for 300 years.

The Romans mark their border by a series of defensive fortifications, in particular of the continuous walls, the first of them, the Gask Ridge , in the Perthshire, dating from the the Seventies or 80. Around 120, the emperor Hadrian orders the construction of a strengthened wall energy of the river the Tyne with Solway Firth. Twenty years later, the Roman governor Quintus Lollius Urbicus makes build the wall of Antonin (thus called according to Antonin the Piles, Roman Emperor from 138 to 161) more in north, through the isthmus Forth - Clyde. Making half the length of the Hadrian's Wall, this short border appears easy to defend, but constitutes the maximum septentrional extension of the Romain Empire during only twenty years. Marc-Aurèle re-occupies the Hadrian's Wall starting from 164.

The Romans cannot direct durable Calédonie of manner, perhaps because of the wild nature of the ground and the scattered population which makes impossible the collection of taxes. But they maintain a control, thanks to outposts until in current the Kincardineshire, and using tribes as the Votadini which play seems a role of Buffer state. At the time of the last administrative reorganization of the Romain Empire in Great Britain, a fifth province, named Valentia, is created, in the zone ranging between the Hadrian's Walls and Antonin. These facts indicate that Rome exerts a significant influence on Scotland, when well even this one was not directly annexed.

After the Roman withdrawal of Great Britain at the 5th century, Valentia becomes part of the kingdom romano-British of Coel Hen, which disappears however with its death.

Following the departure of the Romans of Great Britain, the population of Scotland was divided into two groups:

the Pictes, people of dubious origin (perhaps a group of brittonic Celts) which occupied the major part of the grounds in the north of the Forth-Clyde isthmus.
the Britto-Romans, of the brittonic Celts influenced by the Roman presence, occupied the south, with the kingdoms of there Strad Glud (the Strathclyde) in the south of Clyde, of Rheged in Cumbrie, the Selgovae in the center of the area of the Scottish Borders and the Votadini or Gododdin between Forth and the Tweed.

Successive invasions are at the origin of ethnic contributions whose demographic importance is unknown:

the Scots, named scotti or scoti by the Romans initially, and more particularly Dal Ratians, arrived of Ireland starting from the end of the 5th century, fascinating possession of part of the Hébrides and Western coast of Scotland, including them in the Dal Riada.
the Anglo-Saxon , extending their grounds from the Bernicie and the continent of Europe, took in particular the territory of Gododdins at the 7th century. One of the results of this influence is the language Scots, a Germanic Langue similar to the English but quite distinct.
after the raid Viking of 795 on Iona, the Jarl of the the Orkneys seizes part of Hébrides, the counties of Caithness and Sutherland, while the colonists mixed to the inhabitants Galloway, becoming the Gallgaels .

Saint Ninian led the first Christian mission in Scotland in 397. Starting from its church, the Candida Put , located on the Solway in the current village of Whithorn, it spread Christianity in the south and is of Scotland like in the north of England. However, according to the writings of Holy Patrick and Holy Colomba, Pictes rejected for an unknown reason this religion between the death of Ninian Saint, in 432 and the arrival of Colomba Saint in 563. The gaelic missionaries reintroduced Christianity in Scotland picte. The possible conversion of the king picte Brude is regarded by certain as the principal stage of the christianization of Scotland.

Emergence of the kingdom of Alba

The myth of the Treason of MacAlpin watch birth of Alba, when the king of Dal Riada, Kenneth MacAlpin, conquers the territories pictes (843). Recent studies question the membership of Kenneth and its descendants at the kingdom of Dal Riada, and more readily regard them as Pictes. First half of the 10th century corresponds to the reign of Constantin {{Rom|II|2}} during which the victory of Gaéliques over Pictes is final. The genesis of the kingdom of Alba, which emerges at that time, remains unknown.

At the beginning, this new kingdom corresponds to the part of Scotland located at the north of the rivers Forth and Clyde. At south-west the kingdom brittonic of Strathclyde is located while south-east is under the control of the kingdom brittonic of Bernicie around 638, then kingdom of Northumbrie. The territories of south-east are asserted by the Scot as of the time of Constantin II|2 and fall finally between their hands in 1018, when Malcolm {{Rom|II|2}} extends the territory of the kingdom of Alba to the Tweed river. This border is always the south-eastern border of Scotland at present (except for a zone around Berwick-upon-Tweed).

Scotland finishes its expansion to reach the current geographical limits with the integration of the kingdom of Strathclyde. In 1034, Duncan {{Ier}}, king de Strathclyde, inherits the kingdom of Alba by his/her maternal grandfather, Malcolm II|2 . Except for the Orkneys, of part of Hébrides, counties of Caithness and Sutherland, held by the Vikings, Scotland remains unified.

Macbeth, whose family is évincée throne by Malcolm II|2 , keep silent Duncan at the time of the Battle of Pitgaveny in 1040. It reigns then during 17 years until the son of Duncan, Malcolm {{Rom|III|3}}, takes the top. In its part Macbeth , William Shakespeare immortalise these events, without respecting historical truth too much.

The Anglo-Norman influence

The victory of Malcolm announces a major turning in the history of Scotland which is held in the twelve following years. Indeed, being based on the assistance of the Northumbrie to regain the throne, Scotland becomes a constant subject of covetousness on behalf of the English leaders, the reciprocal one being also true.

In 1066, the conquest of England by William the Conqueror destabilizes the English capacity and Edgar Atheling, one of the other applicants to the throne of England, and consequently adversary of Guillaume, flees in Scotland. Malcolm marries Marguerite, the sister of Edgar, which makes it enemy of Guillaume, who starts besides to dispute the southern borders of Scotland. Guillaume invades Scotland in 1072, overlapping to the mouth of the Tay where it joined his fleet. Malcolm subjects, pours a tribute with Guillaume, and gives his son Duncan as an hostage.

Marguerite has a great influence on Scotland, by in particular introducing the European culture at the court. His/her father is English, and his Hungarian mother, and it grows in Hungary in the catholic tradition . Its influence in the policy of the Church enables him to succeed in making give up with the Church of Scotland some of its single traditions of Celtic origin, towards a greater conformism with the practices of the Western rest of Europe. The invasions Viking S of the preceding centuries indeed cut Scotland and the Ireland of the Western Christianisme, and their respective Churches evolved/moved in a particular direction. It is as from this period that the Scottish Church recognizes the bishop of Rome, the Pape, as a higher authority, and it is with the will of Marguerite who a monastery Benedictine is founded with Dunfermline, and whom Saint Andrews starts to replace Iona as a center of the local ecclesiastical capacity. The rites Scot reinstate little by little the principal current of Western Catholicism.

When Malcolm dies in 1093, his/her brother Donald {{Rom|III|3}} like Edmund, its older sons with Marguerite, reign together on the country. However, Guillaume {{Romanian|III|3}} of England wire-drawer that the son of Malcolm by its first marriage, Duncan, is the legitimate heir to the throne. With the English support, it briefly seizes the power as a Duncan {{Rom|II|2}}. A few months later, this one is assassinated, and Donald and Edouard can continue to reign until two young brothers of Edouard return from England where they are in exile with English troops. Victorious, they imprison with life Donald and Edouard, and oldest of them king Edgar in 1097 becomes the . A little later Magnus {{Romanian|III|3}} Berbein, king of Norway, forces it to yield to him the Hébrides as well as the area of Kintyre, creating the requirements with the independence of the Lord of the Islands of the Scottish crown.

Edgar dies in 1107, and the third wire of Marguerite seizes the power under the name of Alexandre {{Ier}}. This one succumbs in 1124 and David {{Ier}}, the fourth and the last wire of Marguerite, becomes king. During the reign of David, the use of the Scots (known at the time under the name of Inglis ) is spread in the south-east of Scotland, even if the Scottish Gaélique continues to be spoken in many regions of what becomes the Lowlands for several centuries.

The cultural and political projections introduced by the Normands in England impressed David much, and this one succeeds so that certain notable join it to take seat in the Scottish aristocracy. The Norman ones militarized part of Scotland, by building in particular solids castle-forts, and imposed the Féodalité on the farming community. They frequently returned in conflict with the noble natives, in particular in the south-west and the North-East of the country. Like his successors, David created autonomous cities or Burgh S which was colonized by the Norman ones, Flemish merchants or of the English.

In answer to the invitation the noble ones, David accepted grounds in the south of the border of the English kings. That means that the king of Scotland was also Count of Huntingdon, and the counts were to finance ceremonies for the English kings in reward of the grounds which they received. This appeared problematic, because Malcolm III|3 as a king d' Écosse had already held to ransom the Norman kings of England twice after its defeats in various military campaigns when he sought to make reach the throne his brother-in-law Edgar Atheling. The English considered that meant the subordination of Scotland to England.

David challenged this assertion, but the king Henri {{Rom|II|2}} Plantagenêt overcame its grandson, Guillaume {{Ier}} the Lion and off-set it in Normandy of which he was the duke. There, Guillaume recognized the feudality of Scotland in 1174, as a king and not as a count. For the first time, Scotland formally became plain in England. This oath was cancelled in 1189, when Richard Heart-of-Lion accepted a payment of Guillaume in order to finance his Croisade with the the Middle East; the tender of king d' Écosse lasted however a little after this.

In 1263, Scotland and Norway were opposed to the Bataille of Largs for the control of Hébrides. The victory was Scottish and three years later the king Magnus {{Rom|VI|6}} signed the Traité of Perth which recognized the suzerainty of Scotland on this archipelago. Nevertheless, in spite of this treaty, the independence of the Lord of the Islands will perdura.

A series of died in the line of succession of the king in the Années 1280 reflect the Scottish Crown under tension when Alexandre {{Rom|III|3}} died of a fall of horse in 1286. His/her little girl Marguerite {{Ire}} then became queen of Scotland at the four years age. Edouard {{Ier}} of England, great-uncle of Marguerite, suggested that her son, also child, the wife, which would stabilize the line of succession. The guards of Marguerite accepted the thing, but the death of the child in 1290 in the the Orkneys at the time of its voyage from Norway towards Scotland before its crowning or its marriage compromised the situation.

Wars against England

See also: Wars of independence of Scotland

The death of Marguerite leaves the throne of Scotland without clearly defined successor, and Edouard becomes the referee of the various applicants to the throne; he establishes that each one of between-them was to recognize it as suzerain. Being given the great number of applicants, it is not difficult to find of them one which accepts this condition; Edouard chooses it and Jean Baliol becomes king the November 17th 1292.

Jean quickly tries to put a term at this arrangement, mainly because Edouard insists on his statute of suzerain. In 1295, Jean gives up this allegiance officially and seals an alliance with the France, thus melting the Auld Alliance , old alliance, at the expense of England.

Edouard invades Scotland in 1296, Jean force to follow it and takes the integral control of Scotland. In the absence of king, William Wallace and Andrew de Moray respectively raise Scotland of the south and north, and are elected Gardiens of Scotland by the nobility. Under their common command, the English army is beaten with the Bataille of Stirling Bridge. Andrew de Moray dies of its wounds two months later, and William Wallace reigns on Scotland in the name of Jean Baliol.

The reprisals wanted by Edouard carry out in 1298 to the battles of Falkirk where Wallace is overcome. He manages to escape but gives up under Guardien of Scotland. John Comyn and Robert Bruce is designated as its successors, the second being the small son of an applicant to the throne in 1292. In 1304, the English troops force the Scottish nobility to pour a tribute with Edouard, but secret agreements are concluded by Robert in order to continue the fight. Wallace is betrayed and fall into the hands from the English who carry out it for treason, without never managing to make him swear allegiance in England.

From there, the Scot regain and reinforce their independence with respect to England in the two first decades of the 14th century. Robert believes that John Comyn broke a pact between them, and takes part in his murder at the time of one of their meetings in a church of Dumfries in 1306. Robert is thereafter crowned king in 1307, but the forces of Edouard take again the control of the country after their victory over the small Scottish army with the Bataille of Methven. In spite of the excommunion of Robert and his following by the pope Clement {{Romanian|V|5}}, this one gains support more and more, and with the assistance of noble like James Douglas or Thomas Randolph, the count de Moray, only the castles of Bothwell and Stirling remain under English control. Edouard 1st dies in 1307, and his son Edouard {{Rom|II|2}} sends an army to north, in order to raise the seat of the Château of Stirling and to take again the control of the area. Robert demolishes this army with the Bataille of Bannockburn in 1314, making safe in fact the independence of Scotland. In 1320, a protest of noble the Scot towards the pope, the declaration of Arbroath, convinces the pope Jean {{Rom|XXII|22}} to revoke excommunication and to cancel the various treaties of tender of kings Scot towards English kings, so that Scottish sovereignty can be recognized by the principal European powers.

In 1326, the first reality Scottish Parlement gathers. This Parliament comes from a council of the clergy and the nobility, the colloquium , made up around 1235, reinforced by representatives of the burgh S , in order to represent the three orders.

In 1328, Edouard {{Romanian|III|3}} ratifies the Traité of Northampton, thus recognizing the independence of Scotland under the reign of Robert {{Ier}}. However, one year later, after the death of this last, England once again invades Scotland with an aim of restoring there a king who is subjected to them, in the person of Edouard Baliol, the son of Jean Baliol, which déclanche the second war of independence of Scotland. In the absence of good military strategist, like William Wallace or Robert Bruce, Scotland remains under English control during more than thirty years, and regains its independence only under David {{Rom|II|2}}, after the death of Edouard Baliol, mainly because attention of Edouard III|3 turns to the France against which England begins the One hundred Year old Guerre.

End of the Middle Ages

After the death of David, Robert {{Romanian|II|2}}, the first of the royal line of Stewart (then of Stuart), assembles on the throne in 1371, followed in 1390 by his/her John son, who takes Robert like name of reign in order not to awake hatred due to Jean Baliol and is thus the king Robert {{Rom|III|3}}. During its reign (1390 - 1406), the capacity lies mainly in the hands of his/her brother, also named Robert, the duke of Albany.

However, the competition with England persists. After suspect death in 1406 of his/her oldest son, David, duke of Rothesay, perhaps on the orders of the duke of Albany, Robert III|3 send James, the future Jacques {{Ier}}, in France by security measure. It is however captured by the English, and spends its 18 following years in prison in waiting of a ransom. After the death of Robert III|3 regency is initially assured by the duke Albany, then with its death by his/her son, during the office of which the country falls into anarchy. When Scotland pays the ransom in 1424, Jacques returns, 32 years old, accompanied by his English wife. Determined to restore the order and justice in its country, it sets up military measurements, reforms the court and the parliamentary system, and makes kill whoever threatens its authority, including his cousin duke of Albany. It results that the king of Scotland holds much more capacity than any other before him, but increases its unpopularity from it, so that Jacques {{Ier}} dies assassinated in 1437. His/her son Jacques {{Romanian|II|2}}, which reigns of 1437 to 1460, seizes the power once 18 years old, in 1449, and continues the paternal policy of weakening of the noble families, in particular of Douglas, very influential at the time of Robert Bruce.

The intellectual fame of Scotland increases significantly at the 15th century with the creation of the universities of Saint Andrew, of Glasgow and of Aberdeen, respectively in 1413, 1450 and 1494, as well as the promulgation of the Education Act in 1496.

In 1468, the last extension of the Scottish territory takes place when Jacques {{Rom|III|3}} wife Marguerite of Denmark, receiving the the Orkneys and the the Shetland for dowry. After the death of this one, assassinated in 1488, its successor Jacques {{Romanian|IV|4}} finally succeeds in putting a term at the quasi-independence of the Lord of the Islands, thus bringing the entirety of the Hébrides under royal control for the first time. In 1503, it marries the girl of Henri {{Rom|VIII|8}} of England, Marguerite Tudor, thus establishing the bases of the union of the Scotland and Crowns of England. The reign of Jacques IV|4 is generally regarded as one period of cultural development; it is besides at that time that Scotland anchors itself to the European Renaissance. Jacques IV|4 knowing to speak the Scottish Gaélique is the last known Scottish king, although according to certain his/her son of it was also able.

In 1512, in a treaty extending attributions of the Auld Alliance , all the natives of Scotland become also French national, and vice versa. This statute is removed only in 1903 by the France and is perhaps not it yet in Scotland. However, one year later, this alliance has disastrous effects for the latter when he is requested from Jacques IV|4 to invade England in order to support France, attacked by Henri XIII|8 . The invasion is stopped with the Bataille of Flodden Field, where the king, many noble and some 10 000 soldiers - the Flowers off the Forest , commemorated by the song The Flooers o' the Forest - are killed. The impact of the disaster reaches all Scotland because of the great number of deaths, and the capacity falls once more into the hands from regents.

When Jacques {{Romanian|V|5}} succeeds in taking the control of the country with the assistance of his/her mother in 1528, it owes just like his/her father MATER the rebellious provinces of the Highlands, of the the Orkneys, the the Shetland and the Hébrides. Its reign is overall a success, until another countryside against England leads it to the defeat at the time of the Bataille of Solway Moss in 1547. Jacques in cost, but dies little of time afterwards. Its death day before, it is informed that his wife, Marie de Guise, put at the world a child, Marie {{Ire}}. A regency is set up.

Marie, queen of Scotland

Less than two years later, the military attempt at Henri VIII|8 to force a marriage between Marie and her young person wire Edouard {{Romanian|VI|6}}, known under the name of Rough Wooing , starts. That takes the form of skirmishes along the border, and it is at that time that Berwick-upon-Tweed falls into English hands. By security measure, Marie is sent in France, as a desired wife of the dolphin of France. His/her mother remains in Scotland in order to take care on the interests of the future queen - and of France - although the count d' Arran is officially the regent.

In 1547, after the death of Henri VIII|8 , the English forces under the control of the regent Edward Seymour are victorious with the Bataille of Pinkie Cleugh and occupy thereafter the town of Edinburgh. The Rough Wooing cannot be however concluded since Marie is in France. Marie de Guise requests reinforcements from France with an aim of helping resistance and, in 1550, after a change of regency, England withdraws the integrality of its troops of Scotland.

Starting from 1554, Marie de Guise takes the regency of the throne of Scotland and continuous to support the French interests. The French cultural influence results in a broad impregnation of the Scots by the French vocabulary. However, a feeling anti-French goes up, particularly among the Protestant community , which sees in England their natural ally. In 1560, Marie de Guise dies and with it the Auld Alliance during the signature of the treated of Edinburgh. Marie, old from 19 years and recently widow, returns to Scotland in order to seize the power in a hostile environment there. After only seven years of an animated reign, at the end which the Protestants succeed in taking the control of the entirety of the country, it is forced to abdicate and flees in England, leaving Jacques {{Rom|VI|6}}, its young person wire, in the hands of the regents.

The Reform

During the 16th century, the Réforme reaches Scotland. In first half of the century, the writings of Martin Luther and Jean Calvin start to influence the population. The executions of précheurs Protestant, particularly the Lutheran Patrick Hamilton in 1527 and later the calvinist George Wishart in 1546, condemned for heresy and burned on roughing-hew it with Saint Andrews by the cardinal Beaton, do not block of anything the rise movement. The Beaton cardinal is assassinated besides shortly after the execution of George Wishart.

The Reform of the Scottish Church is ratified by the Parliament starting from 1560, whereas Marie {{Ire}} is still minor. The most influential character of this period is John Knox, disciple at the same time of Calvin and George Wishart. The Catholicisme however is not éradiqué, and remains strongly established in areas of the Highlands.

During all the reign of Marie, catholic, the Reform remains precarious; his/her Jacques son VI|6 is however high in the Protestant tradition. With died Elisabeth {{Anger}} of England, in 1603, this last inherits the Crown of England. It reigns there under the name of Jacques {{Ier}}, thus unifying the two countries. It remains at the time the only bond between these two independent nations, but this precedes the future union of England and Scotland under the banner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707.

One of the principal differences is of religious order. Whereas the two countries are Protestant, the Church of England does not adopt the Calvinisme like that of Scotland. It preserves in particular its episcopal governorship while the Scot are in majority presbytériens. The following monarchs of the line Stuart try to impose the capacity of the bishops on the Scottish Church, with a limited success.

Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Commonwealth of the Puritans

The War of the Bishops

Shortly after the beginning of his reign, the attempt at Charles {{Ier}}, king d' Angleterre and of Scotland, to impose on the Scottish churches prayer books in the English style caused riots in all the country. Representatives of the various social classes of the Scottish company created the movement of the Covenanter S , reinsuring a religious practice presbytérienne. Charles 1st gathered military forces but chose the invasion day before for the negotiation. Notable Écossais camped on their positions. Charles 1st used the force but its troops were pushed back after an undecided confrontation. Following this “ war of the bishops ”, Charles 1st tried to recruit an army of catholic Irish, but was forced to make back machine after a wind of protest in England and Scotland. These risky operations had as a consequence a rebellion in Ireland, which obliged Charles 1st to call upon the English Parliament in order to obtain funds, in exchange of what this one required political reforms, which led to the First English revolution. This series of civil wars which struck the Great Britain in the Années 1640 and 1650 is known by the British historians under the name of Guerres of the Three Kingdoms ( Wars off the Three Kingdoms ), while the French often confuse, under the term of “ civil war anglaise ” the whole of these confrontations. The covenanters were during this period only to control Scotland and raised a powerful army in order to impose their religious practices to the Christians épiscopaliens and to the catholics of the north of the country.

Civil war in England and Scotland

Whereas the civil war extends, the English members of Parliament invite some with the covenanters in order to obtain a military aid against the king. The Scot accept in exchange of substantial concessions at the political and religious level. The Scottish troops play a great part in the defeat of Charles 1st, particularly with the Bataille of Marston Moor. An army under the command of the Count de Leven occupies the north of England for some time. However, all the Scot do not support the action of the covenanters to take the weapons against their own king. In 1645, James Graham, Marquis de Montrose tries to raise the Highlands for the king. Actually, little Scot follows it, but it gains great successes, thanks to an instinctive genius as regards mobile war and using 1 000 men coming from Ireland, Highlands and the various archipelagoes and sent by the Confederated Irish, under the command of Alasdair MacColla. A Scottish Civil war bursts in September 1644 with its victory with the Bataille of Tippermuir. After a series of victories over slightly trained militia of covenanters , the Lowlands are at its mercy. However, its army separates, the relations between MacColla side and the troops Irish and of Highlands and other Montrose being tended. This one is overcome besides shortly after with the Bataille of Philiphaugh. In July 1646, its army is dismantled on order of the king, Charles 1st being in negotiations with the Scot presbytériens moderate. In this secret agreement, the presbytériens promise a military aid with Charles if this one establishes the presbyterianism. When the English members of Parliament refuse to slacken the king, the duke of Hamilton lance an invasion of England, which intervenes too late however to save the king, and this new army is demolished by Oliver Cromwell in August 1647.

Occupation of Cromwell and restoration of monarchy

The covenanters are opposed to the arrest then with the execution of Charles 1st in 1649 by the English Parliament. Stuart are indeed of Scottish ascent and promised an alliance with them against the English Parliament. The oldest son of Charles 1st is proclaimed king under the name of Charles {{Rom|II|2}} in Edinburgh. Oliver Cromwell invades Scotland in then 1650, and overcomes the Scottish army in a series of battles to Dunbar and Worcester. Scotland is then occupied by an English force under commandemant of George Monk throughout Interregnum, and is annexed to the the English Commonwealth, directed by puritans.

Of 1652 with 1659, Scotland is part of the the Commonwealth of Cromwell, under English control but having obtained equal customs duties. During its collapse, and with the re-establishment of Charles II|2 , Scotland regains its independence and its Parliament, even if the Navigation Acts English prevent the Scot from starting what would have been a lucrative trade with the growing English colonies. The border between the two countries is restored, with customs duties which protect Scottish textile industry from the English imports at low cost but prevents the access of the cattle and Scottish wool to the English market.

Charles II|2 be unaware of Scotland for the two decades which followed, preferring to devote itself to the increase in its capacities in England, although his/her Jacques brother, as Duc of York, institutes the Commission for the pacification of Highlands which works in co-operation with the chiefs of the clans Scot. Charles II|2 , however, continues the policy of his/her father to reintroduce a dirigeance épiscopalienne in the Church of Scotland. In spite of the fact that this one is not without support within the Scottish company, it causes another rebellion présbytérienne in the south of Scotland in 1679. Charles contains this rebellion and massacres the covenanters in an episode known under the name of The Killing Time . When he dies in 1685, his/her brother, catholic, succeed to him under the name of Jacques {{Rom|VII|7}} of Scotland (or Jacques II|2 from England).

The Glorious Revolution

The attempt at Jacques to restore a certain religious tolerance towards the English catholics causes the anger of its Protestant subjects; however neither this, nor its wills absolutists, cause opened rebellion, each one thinking that his/her daughter Marie, Protestant woman and future woman of William of Orange, would succeed to him. Any rocker when Jacques has a son in 1688. With the invitation of seven English, Guillaume unloads in England with the head of an army of 40 000 men, and Jacques flees. Although especially English event, the Glorieuse Revolution has a strong impact on the history of Scotland. Just as Guillaume accepts a limitation of his royal capacities with the signature of the Déclaration of the rights ( Bill off Rights ), Scotland has a similar document, the Claim off Rights , which plays an important part in the evolution of the laws and the rights of the subjects.

The majority of the Scot support William of Orange, but Jacques VII|7 remain popular among a strong minority, particularly in Highlands. Its cause, known under the name of Jacobitisme , causes a series of risings, beginning with the Bataille of Killiecrankie in 1689, in which John Graham, overcomes the troops of Guillaume. However, John Graham dies in the battle, and its army is overcome quickly at the time of the Bataille of Dunkeld. The crushing defeat of Jacques at the time of the Bataille of Boyne (1690) puts a term for a time at it. The irony wants that later on, William of Orange, protesting, obtains the support of the Pape and the Habsbourg, catholics, against the expansionist policy of Louis {{Rom|XIV|14}}.

The end of the 17th century is one period economically difficult for Scotland. Bad harvests of the Années 1690 cause an acute famine and a depopulation. English protectionism draws aside the Scot of the new colonies, and the English foreign politics stops the trade with France. Much Scot emigrates then in Ulster. In 1695, the Scottish Parliament votes a certain number of laws with an aim of curing the despaired economic situation, creating the bases of the Banque of Scotland. The Act for the Settling off Schools establishes a parochial education system in all Scotland. The Company off Scotland receives the right to a lifting of funds per public subscription to trade with Africa and the the Indies.

Scottish colonies

In order to extend, the Scot send before colonists in the English colonies of the New Jersey and establish of them one, which does not remain, in Stuart' S Town in current the South Carolina. Company off Scotland is quickly implied in the Darién Scheme , an ambitious plan of William Paterson aiming at establishing a colony on the Isthme of Panamá with an aim of tying commercial relations with the the Far East - principle which will guide well later the boring of the Canal of Panamá; it finds easily funds with London. Grouvernement English is opposed however to this project: implied in the war of the league of Augsburg between 1689 and 1697 against the France, it does not want to offend the Spain, which asserts the territory like belonging to its colony of Nouvelle Grenade. The English investors desisting, Company off Scotland goes back to Edinburgh where it raises 400 000 pounds in a few weeks. Three small fleets embarking 3 000 men unload finally in Panamá in 1698. The company turns to the disaster. Badly equipped, under a ceaseless rain, undergoing the attacks of the Spaniards since their colony of Carthagène and being seen refusing the assistance of the English present in the the Antilles, the colonists give up their project in 1700; only 1 000 men survive, and only one ship succeeds in regaining Scotland. A vessel in perdition, having called Royal Port with the assistance, sees it refusing on order of the English government. Carrying out the dangers to have to control two kingdoms having conflict claims and goals, William of Orange calls with the union of England and Scotland, in vain. When it is carried out, in 1707, the union restores the Libre-échange between the two countries, and gives the Scot access to the English Empire incipient.

Union, the dynasty of Hanover and jacobitiens

Towards 1700, Protestant monarchy seems to have to die out with the queen Anne {{Ire}}. Instead of turning over towards his/her brother Jacques François Stuart, catholic, the English Parliament decides that the Crown returns to Sophie of Hanover and with its descendants ( Act off Settlement of 1701 ). However, its during Scot, the Act off Security , prohibited simply a catholic successor, leaving open the possibility to a separation of the Crowns. Rather than to risk the possible return of Jacques François Stuart, living then in France, the English Parliament pushes with the union of the two countries. In 1707, in spite of a strong opposition in Scotland, the treaty of union is concluded.

The treaty, which becomes the Acte of Union, confirms the succession of the dynasty of Hanover. It abolishes the Parliaments of England and Scotland, and institutes in the place that of Great Britain. Scotland must have 45 seats in the House of Commons, as well as a representation in the House of Lords. This treaty also creates a common citizenship, giving to the Scot a free access to the English market. The position of the Church of Scotland as well as the Scottish laws and Justice are preserved. This union is very discussed within the Scottish population, more especially as the awaited economic clearing is not concretized immediately. When this one occurs, only Lowlands benefit from it.

The Jacobitisme, not extinct, awakes because of the unpopularity of the union. In 1708 Jacques François Stuart tries an invasion using a French fleet, but the Royal Navy prevents any unloading. A more important attempt takes place in 1715. This one, known in English under the name The “Fifteen , envisages simultaneous risings in the Wales, the Devon and Scotland; the two first do not take place however, the government having succeeded of the preventative arrests. In Scotland, John Erskine, Count de Mar, called Bobbin” John , raise the clans jacobitiens and bravely carries out them without bringing decisive answer. It takes Perth, but lets a governmental force of lower importance under the command of the duke of Argyll hold the plain of Stirling. Part of the army joined risings of the north of England and the south of Scotland. The jacobites make an opening in England before being overcome with the battles of Preston then to go the November 14th 1715. The day before, John Erskine does not succeed in overcoming the duke of Argyll to the Bataille of Sheriffmuir. There, Jacques unloads in Scotland, but one advises to him to give up, and it turns over to France. An attempt at invasion jacobite with the assistance of Spain takes place in 1719, but meets little support on behalf of the clans, and is concluded with the Bataille from Glen Shiel.

In 1745, a new rising jacobite - The 'Forty-Five - engages. Charles Edouard Stuart, called Bonnie Prince Charlie , the son of Jacques François, unloads on the island of Eriskay in the Hébrides, where several clans unite with him, without real enthusiasm however. Its beginnings are victorious: it takes Edinburgh and overcomes the only army of State present in Scotland at the time of the Bataille of Prestonpans. It goes on England, to the town of Derby. From there, it becomes obvious that, for unpopular that are the members of the dynasty of Hanover, England would not let itself control by catholic Stuart. The crisis of confidence of the leaders jacobites the fact of turning over to Scotland.

The Duc of Cumberland crushes this rising and the hopes of the jacobites at the time of the Bataille of Culloden the April 16th 1746. Charles hides in Scotland with the assistance of the inhabitants of Highlands until September 1746, when it escapes to turn over to France with the assistance of Flora Macdonald. France expels it under the terms of the treated of Aachen (1748). He dies in exile, and his cause with him, except for some nostalgic.

The industrial revolution, the Scottish Clearances and Lights

After 1745, the British authorities act so as to remove the system in Highlands. The fact of carrying Tartan or of playing of the Cornemuse are all two prohibited. The warlike culture is reorientated when the inhabitants are recruited as soldiers to serve in vast the British Empire. The clannish chiefs are incited to regard itself as owners of the grounds which they control, hitherto regarded as community property with the clan.

When these new agrarian owners convert the grounds into grazing grounds with sheep, more advantageous economically, of the inhabitants are dispossessed as of their and are forced with the exile. During what today is known in the Anglo-Saxon world under the name of “ Highland Clearances ”, the population decreases appreciably. Many inhabitants of these areas leave to settle in the cities of the Lowlands , becoming thus the labor of the incipient Industrial revolution. Others emigrate in different places from the British empire, particularly in Nova Scotia, in the localities of the east of the Quebec and in the High-Canada.

In same time, the Scottish Révolution agricultural transforms the Lowlands and makes pass the traditional operating system of subsistence in a unit more stable and productive, which also causes a migration of the inhabitants, known under the name of “ Lowland Clearances ”.

The international destiny of Scotland is very related to that of Great Britain as a whole, then of the United Kingdom. Shortly after the battle of Culloden, this one gains the Guerre Seven Year old (1756-1763), thus establishing it like a great power. As a part of this new country, Scotland develops like never at the time of its independence. Whereas the memory of the rebellion of the jacobites disappears, the Années 1770 and 1780 see the return of many before last Draconian laws. In 1792, the majority of enters are thus exhumed, the catholic clergies and épiscopaliens not refusing more to request for the monarch in place, although the unitarian ones are always affected.

Economically speaking, Glasgow and Edinburgh start to grow at intervals raised towards the end of the 18th century. The Scottish Lumières mark of their print the Sciences and the Philosophie with characters like Adam Smith, David Hume, James Boswell, James Hutton, Lord Kelvin and James Watt.

Walter Scott, a prolific author of ballades, poems and historical novels, is preeminent in the literature of the time. Its romantic evocations of the Scottish life of the last centuries continue still today to have a disproportionate effect in popular perception of the “ Scottish culture authentique ”, and the ceremony which it organizes for the arrival of the king George {{Rom|VI|6}} in Scotland sets up tartan and the Kilt with the row of national symbols. George MacDonald influence also the image of Scotland towards the end of the 19th century.

During the 19th century, Lowlands turn more and more to heavy industry. Glasgow and the Clyde becomes an important center of naval construction and one of the more big cities of Europe, known as “a second city of the empire ” after London.

Scotland at the 20th century

Same manner as it benefits from it, Scotland suffers from sound strong bond with the British Empire after the First World War. In Highlands, whose population is enlisted in a way more important than in the remainder of the population, a whole generation young men is decimated, and the population of many villages decreases in great proportions. In Lowlands, particularly in Glasgow, the bad sanitary arrangements and social lead to a certain agitation. John MacLean becomes a key figure political in what today is known under the name of Red Clydeside and in January 1919, the gouverment British one, fearing an incipient revolution, deploys tanks and soldiers in the center of Glasgow. During the Years 1920 and 1930, a mass unemployment touches this same city like Clydebank because of the Grande depression and international competition.

During the Second world war, the naval bases and the Scottish infrastructures are priority targets for Germany. The attacks on Scapa Flow and Rosyth allow the hunters Royal Air Force to off cut down bombers in the areas of the Firth Forth and East Lothian. The building sites of production of Glasgow and Clydeside play a key function in the British effort of war, and undergo consequently attacks of the Luftwaffe . Clydebank, in particular, records many human losses and massive destruction. Highlands once again provide a great number of troops.

The battles of the Atlantic force the military convoys to sail in the North of the ocean, and Scotland then plays a big role in the resolution of the conflict. As at the time of the First World War, Scapa Flow in the the Orkneys is an important base of the Royal Navy . The relative proximity of the the Shetland and the Norway allows the installation of the the Shetland Bus - trawlers helping the Norwegians to flee the occupation Nazi - as well as forwardings in the the North Sea.

In the years which follow the end of the Second world war, the economic situation of Scotland becomes increasingly problematic, in particular because of international competition and an ineffective industry. A change takes place starting from the Années 1970 with the discovery of the oil and gas of the North Sea and the conversion of the Scottish economy to the industry of the services. This period sees the emergence of the Scottish National Party and of the movements for the independence of Scotland and, in a more representative way, the Décentralisation. However, a referendum on the latter obtains a negative answer in 1979.

When the Cold war intensifies, the the United States deploy missiles Polaris and Sous-marin S in the Holy Loch of the Firth off Clyde (1961), in spite of the opposition of the militants of the movement Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament . The Royal Navy proceeds in this way by increasing the bases naval of Faslane on the Gare Log in order to enable him to accommodate submarines of the Classe Resolution as well as the first patrol of a submarine equipped with Trident missiles, although the American base is closed at the end of the cold war.

In 1997, the Labor government of Tony Blair again holds a referendum on decentralization. A positive exit brings the re-establishment of the Scottish Parlement which sits until now beside the Palais of Holyrood to Edinburgh

Scotland with the 21e century

The feudal system remains integral part of the Scottish right as regards ground possession, in such a way that an owner always has duties towards a superior, including that to pay a tax. In 1974, begins a modernization process of the legislation, with an aim of putting an end to these payments, but it is only when the Scottish Parliament votes series of measure between 2000 and 2004 that this feudal system is entirely abolished.

See too

Article related

Scotland;
Chronology of Scotland;
List of the kings d' Écosse;
Monarchs of Great Britain;
History of the United Kingdom.

Random links: