Introduction: Medieval Scotland
Learning Intentions You will be able to: Describe Scotland in the twelfth century, with reference to: Population The structure of society Daily life Trade Government Religion Science
Timescale This unit will look at events from 1249 until 1329 a very different time from today.
People in medieval times had no knowledge of The causes of disease (germs) or the workings of the human body The size or position of the Earth/continents Electricity (or any item that uses it) The printing press Telephone, Morse code, telegraph, internet, radio waves Any modern form of transport that uses fossil fuels
The structure of society Medieval Scotland was structured in the same way as England via a process called feudalism (the feudal system). This is how it works
The King owns all the land in the country (his mandate is that he has a divine right to rule i.e. chosen by God). He keeps some for himself but gifts large areas (called fiefs) to nobles such as barons & earls. The nobles are also known as tenants-inchief. In return for this generous gift, barons/earls become the King s vassal. They swear loyalty (an oath of fealty) to him at an important ceremony. This is called paying homage. The nobles promise to provide service in the form of tax and soldiers in times of war.
The King also gives large fiefs to the Church. This makes bishops and abbots rich and powerful. They serve the King by praying for him and by gaining the support of their superior, the Pope. They also convince the people of the King s divine rights.
The tenants-in-chief have too much land to use themselves so they give it to knights. Knights gain large areas of land and swear an oath of fealty for it. They are professionally trained soldiers and promise to serve their lord by fighting for them when required. Knights are expected to follow the Code of Chivalry. This is a set of social laws which govern how a knight should behave, e.g. respect other knights, protect the weak and obey God.
Peasants make up the vast majority of the population. They are at the bottom of the social order. They are given a tiny piece of land to live on in return for farming the lord s land. They are not free to leave and must obey their lord.
LAND GIVEN LOYAL SERVICE RECEIVED
SOCIAL STABILITY BUT NO SOCIAL MOBILITY
Scottish earldoms
Loudon Hill
Religion
People had a literal belief in Heaven and Hell after death.
The Pope Secular clergy/clerics Regular clergy/clerics
How the Church was organised The head of the Roman Catholic Church was the Pope. He was the most powerful man in Europe. All Western Europe under his spiritual leadership was often called Christendom.
The Secular Church The Secular Church was organised into a hierarchy of authority. Scotland did not have any cardinals or archbishops at this time. The Pope Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Priests
Bishops A bishop s area of authority was called his bishopric or diocese. Oversaw all the churches in their diocese and held religious courts. Scotland s two most important dioceses were:
The Bishopric of Glasgow
The Bishopric of St Andrews
The Regular Church The Regular Church was organised into a hierarchy of authority. Abbot Prior Monk / friar Novice Lay-brother
Monks lived in monasteries and prayed in church services several times a day.
Did hard physical labour, like farming
or intense intellectual work, like making handwritten copies of religious books. Some wrote chronicles.
Friars belonged to holy orders but travelled around preaching rather than living in a monastery.
The Wars of the Rosaries! Church leaders had two very powerful spiritual weapons that could be used to threaten or punish people, rulers or entire countries. This gave the Church massive political influence. They were:
Excommunication This was when a person was excluded from the Church by order of the Pope or an Archbishop. If a king was excommunicated it removed the oaths of allegiance of their subjects. Other rulers were obliged / permitted to invade the realm to remove the king by force.
Interdict This was an order that no religious service could be conducted in an entire area or country. This meant all the people would be denied the sacraments.
Multiple Choice Quiz
Which country then possessed Orkney and Shetland? Denmark Sweden Iceland Norway
What was the population of Scotland? 100,000 250,000 500,000 750,000
Which is the odd one out? Stirling Glasgow Edinburgh Scone
Which is the odd one out regarding the life of ordinary people? Reading a book. Farming the land. Living very near to where you were born. Eating a diet of bread, porridge and very little meat.
Which is the correct definition of burgess? A lord who owned land and often a castle. A large town where trade was centred. A merchant granted special privileges by the King. An area ruled by a sheriff.
Where were most of Scotland s burghs? East coast Highlands Borders West coast
What is the name given to the medieval structure of society whereby land was given in return for service? Socialism Despotism Feudalism Anarchism
Who swore an oath of fealty to their lord? Peasants, knights and nobles. Knights, bishops and the monarch. Peasants, knights, bishops and the monarch. Knights and nobles.
Which is the odd one out? Freeman Knight Serf Villein
Which is the odd one out? Baron Knight Earl Bishop
In which year did the Pope recognise the independence of Scotland s Catholic Church from England? 1192 1198 1205 1216
Who were not part of the Regular Church? Priests Abbots Monks Friars
What sanction would the Church apply to a person (even a monarch) who committed a terrible sin? Interdict Excommunication Diocese Bishopric
Which member of the royal household was a cleric (holy), looked after the royal seal and kept records? The Marshall The Constable The Steward The Chancellor
Which men were royal officers who were given the responsibility of running local areas for the King? Justiciars Chamberlains Sheriffs Overlords
Task You are going to produce a tourist guide for time travellers to medieval Scotland! It must contain all the essential information needed to survive in this alien world.
Success criteria: Your travel guide should include: A map of Scotland showing major towns, burghs, monasteries and earldoms. Information about feudalism. Daily life for people of all ranks of the system. How Scotland/people traded goods. The importance of the Church in society. How Scotland was governed, including information about the royal household. Information about the lack of scientific knowledge. All the key words in the boxes.
Can I? Describe Scotland in the twelfth century, with reference to: Population The structure of society Daily life Trade Government Religion Science