Author Description

This book gives a portrait of life in a medieval Scottish burgh. It focuses on the social history of the town, arguing that the Scottish burgh was a full and active member of the community of the realm, not an anomaly in a medieval kingdom. Using the latest material from recent archaeological discoveries as well as new research from documentary sources, the book aims to give a complete picture of 14th-century urban life. It looks in particular at the conditions of life, government, property-holding, trade and industry, the sense of community and the place of the burgh within the wider realm of Scotland. It emphasizes the close relationship between burgh and countryside and the active participation of the burgesses in the society.