War and Border Societies in the Middle Ages

The frontier or `marcher' societies flourished in the Middle Ages and their influence has lasted well into modern times. In this study of Anglo-Scottish relations and of border society, the contributors examine the infrastructure beneath societies which were permanently `organized for war'. They draw on Anglo-Scottish archival material to argue that the issues which feature in other frontier societies - acculturation and the creation of special institutions - appeared also on the Anglo-Scottish frontier. The book uses the celebrated Battle of Otterburn as a starting-point for a major reassessment of border society, challenging the view put forward in popular ballads that the borders were isolated and self-contained.

Introduction Anthony Goodman, University of Edinburgh 2. The Otterburn War: From the Scottish Point of View, Alexander Grant, University of Lancaster 3. The Battle of Otterburn: When and Where Was It Fought? Colin Tyson, formerly of University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 4. The Ballad and the Source: Some Literary Reflections on the 'Battle of Otterburn', James Reed, formerly of Bingley College of Education 5. The Church of Durham and the Scottish Borders 1378-88, Barrie Dobson, University of Cambridge 6. Responses to War: Carlisle and the West March in the Later Fourteenth Century, Henry Summerson, English Heritage 7. The Percies and the Community of Northumberland in the Later Fourteenth Century, Anthony Tuck, University of Bristol

Anthony Goodman (University of Edinburgh) (Edited by) , Prof Anthony Tuck (Formerly University of Bristol) (Edited by)