MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND

Books | Web Sites

Books

For Teachers

Atlas of the Medieval World by Rosamond McKitterick. (Oxford University Press, 2004)
This profusely illustrated book traces a thousand years of development, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the 16th century, through maps, photographs, illustrations, and reproductions.

The Civilization of the Middle Ages by Norman F. Cantor. (Harper, 1994)
An authoritative one-volume history by a noted scholar.

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life, Volume 2, edited by Joyce E. Salisbury. (Greenwood Press, 2004)
A comprehensive look at the lives of ordinary people in medieval times — their clothes, food, culture, customs, beliefs, etc.

The Illustrated History of Scotland by Chris Tabraham. (Oyster Press, 2004)
Lavish color photographs, artifacts, maps, and more enhance this history of Scotland.

Medieval Reader by Norman F. Cantor. (Collins, 1945)
A collection of almost 100 real, first-person accounts of life in the Middle Ages, from the 4th to the 16th century.

Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson. (Atlantic Monthly, 2000)
A detailed account of the land and people of Scotland.

Siege: Castles at War by Daniel Diehl. (Taylor Trade Publishing, 1998)
Using a fictional battle between the English and French, this is an examination of medieval siege warfare, illustrated with over 150 photos and diagrams.

Women in Medieval Europe: 1200-1500 by Jennifer Ward. (Longman, 2003)
This book examines the diverse roles of women in the private and public spheres, challenging the notion that women were powerless and submissive.

For Students

Fiction

The Boggart and the Monster by Susan Cooper. (Margaret K. McElderry, 1997)
In this sequel to The Boggart, Emily and Jessup Volnik return to Castle Keep in Scotland and are delighted to find that the shape-shifting Boggart still creates turmoil in the castle.

Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page by Richard Platt. (Candlewick, 1999)
Set in northern England in the 13th century, this fictionalized account of a year of life in a castle offers a wealth of information.

The Celtic Breeze, Stories of the Otherworld from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales by Heather McNeil. (Greenwood, 2001)
A brief history of the Celts — whose descendants settled in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales — introduces ancient tales and songs about selkies, mermaids, faeries, and kelpies.

Dark Waters by Catherine Macphail. (Bloomsbury, 2003)
It seems that someone in the McCann family is always in trouble, but when Col McCann saves a boy from drowning in the loch, he becomes a local hero.

The Far Side of the Loch by Melissa Wiley. (HarperCollins, 2000)
The Little House, The Martha Years series. Martha is bored and lonely at the Stone House until her father returns with exciting news. Based on the childhood of Martha Morse, who was Laura Ingalls Wilders' great-grandmother.

Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen and Robert Harris. (Philomel, 2002)
The girl is Marjorie, daughter of the King of Scotland, Robert the Bruce. But why is she, a princess, in a cage? How can she make her father and her country proud?

The King's Swift Rider, A Novel on Robert the Bruce by Mollie Hunter. (HarperCollins, 1998)
Martin Crawford wants a quiet life of study but when he rescues a man being hunted by five soldiers, he is amazed to learn the man is the King of the Scots, Robert the Bruce.

Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Without a Country by Kathryn Lasky. (Scholastic, 2002)
The Royal Diaries series. The year is 1554 and 11-year-old Mary Stuart has been Queen of Scotland since she was ten months old, but must live in exile in France, where there is plenty of court intrigue.

Pirican Pic and Pirican Mor retold by Hugh Lupton. (Barefoot Books, 2003)
In this traditional Scottish folktale, two friends argue about sharing a pile of walnuts. For younger readers.

Pure Dead Wicked by Debi Gliori. (Knopf, 2002)
Pure Dead series. The Strega-Borgia family is forced from their ancestral Scottish castle and into a hotel in the fictional village of Auchenlochtermuchty.

Nonfiction

Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed by Priscilla Galloway. (Annick Press, 2003)
An introduction to medieval Europe from 1000 to 1500 through an examination of common and uncommon occupations.

The Art of the Catapult by William Gurstelle. (Chicago Review Press, 2004)
Directions for building seven types of catapults out of wood, rope, nails, and glue are interwoven with the history of siege warfare.

Castles and Forts by Simon Adams. (Kingfisher, 2003)
Kingfisher Knowledge series. Photographs, illustrations, and text provide a wealth of information.

Castle at War by Andrew Langley. (DK, 1998)
DK Discoveries series. A detailed look at a siege, including weapons, strategies, and life during a siege, as well as castle life during peacetime.

How Would You Survive in the Middle Ages? by Fiona MacDonald. (Watts, 1997)
How Would You Survive series. A well-illustrated look at a day-in-the-life of various people during the Middle Ages.

The Kings and Queens of England and Scotland by Plantagenet Somerset Fry. (DK, 1999)
Beginning with Kenneth MacAlpin, who created a united Scotland in the north in the 840s, this book examines the monarchies from Robert the Bruce, the Stewarts, the Stuarts, the Hanoverians, to the Windsors, present-day monarchs of the United Kingdom.

Knights by Philip Steele. (Kingfisher, 1998)
A detailed look, in words and pictures, at how knights trained, lived, and fought. Also includes a list of famous knights and knights in fiction.

Knights and Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities by Avery Hart. (Williamson, 1998)
Medieval living conditions, food, and warfare are examined through arts, crafts, and other activities.

Medieval Society by Kay Eastwood. (Crabtree Publishing, 2004)
Original illustrations, reproductions, maps, and timelines help describe life in the Middle Ages.

Medieval Warfare by Tara Steele. (Crabtree Publishing, 2004)
Illustrated with photos and drawings, this is a simple but informative look at life in a castle under siege.

Medieval Weapons and Warfare: Armies and Combat in Medieval Times by Paul Hilliam. (The Rosen Publishing Group, 2004)
The Library of the Middle Ages series. This book focuses on weapons such as swords, lances, bows and arrows, early cannons, and catapults as well as armor and castles.

The Middle Ages by Don Nardo. (Gale Publishing, 2003)
The History of Weapons and Warfare series. Focusing on the reality of medieval warfare (not romantic stories of chivalrous knights), the weapons and tactics of battle on land and sea are described.

Monarchs by Stewart Ross. (Gale Publishing, 2004)
Medieval Realms series. A look at how the royal courts of Europe functioned in the Middle Ages, including the hierarchy at court, the role of religion, and the Crusades.

The Mystery of the Loch Ness Monster by Holly Wallace. (Heinemann, 1999)
Can Science Solve? Series. Beginning with the earliest sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, this book explores accounts, photographs, and scientific expeditions to try to determine whether "Nessie" really exists.

Outrageous Women of the Middle Ages by Vicki Leon. (Jossey-Bass, 1998)
A lively look at a variety of women — from Europe, Asia, and Africa — who lived in the 6th through the 14th century.

Stone Age Farmers Beside the Sea: Scotland's Prehistoric Village of Skara Brae by Caroline Arnold. (Clarion, 1997)
The excavation of the oldest known prehistoric settlements in Europe, on an island at the northern-most part of Scotland, reveals a lot about how ancient people lived.

Women in Medieval Times by Fiona MacDonald. (Peter Bedrick, 2000)
This book examines the role of women at home and at work, as well as some famous women of the time.

The World of Castles by Philip Steele. (Kingfisher, 2005)
A comprehensive look at castles, including the jobs people had, daily life routines, and fun facts.

You Wouldn't Want to Be in a Medieval Dungeon! by Fiona MacDonald. (Scholastic, 2003)
Told in the voice of an applicant for the job of medieval jailer, this account of the prisons of the times describes castle life, types of prisons, likely prisoners, crimes, and the conditions prisoners (and often their jailers) endured.

Web Sites

Black Agnes
http://www.2ndlookdesign.com/dunbarcastle/blackagnes.html
Includes a poem and overview of the battle between the Earl of Salisbury and Lady Agnes Randolph.

Create a Hero Trophy
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/hero_trophy/
This lesson plan helps students learn about American heroes and encourages them to research the lives of heroes they admire and create a commemorative trophy.

Edward III
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MEDedwardIII.htm
Provides a brief overview of the reign of Edward III.

Heroes and Heroism
http://www.quotelady.com/subjects/heroes.html
A list of quotes from various public figures about heroes and heroism.

The History of Scotland — Black Agnes Randolph
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/BlackAgnes.htm
Overview of Agnes' battle over Castle Dunbar with links to broader Scottish history topics.

Life During the Middle Ages
http://www.medieval-life.net/life_main.htm
With sections on education, clothing, bathing, food, health, history, and more, this site provides an extensive overview of medieval life.

The Middle Ages
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/feudal.html
Detailed information about life in the middle ages.

Women's Biographies: Distinguished Women of Past and Present
http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/
Provides biographies of women writers, educators, scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights crusaders, artists, entertainers, and others.