{"title":"Books by R. Andrew McDonald","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781904607793","title":"The Kingdom of the Isles","description":"This study explores the history of the western seaboard of Scotland (the Hebrides, Argyll and the Isle of Man) in a formative but often neglected era: the central middle ages, from the mightly Somerled to his descendant John MacDonald, the first Lord of the Isles (c. 1336).Drawing on a variety of sources, this very readable narrative deals with three major and closely interrelated themes: first, the existence of the Isles and coastal mainland as a kingdom from c.1100 to 1266; second, the rulers of the region, Somerled and his descendants, the MacDougalls, MacDonalds and MacRuaris; and third, the often complex relations among the Isles, Scotland, Norway and England. A fully rounded history emerges, which transcends national viewpoints.While political history predominates, the changing nature of society in the isles is emphasised throughout, and separate chapters address the church and monasticism as well as the monuments – the castles, monasteries, churches and chapels that form an enduring legacy.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308328825205,"sku":"9781904607793","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781904607793_f9f6bc7d-e48c-4853-8672-7e12e2dcdd7e.jpg?v=1786034708"},{"product_id":"sea-kings","title":"The Sea Kings","description":"The archipelagic kingdoms of Man and the Isles that flourished from the last quarter of the eleventh century down to the middle of the thirteenth century represent two forgotten kingdoms of the medieval British Isles. They were ruled by powerful individuals, with unquestionably regnal status, who interacted in a variety of ways with rulers of surrounding lands and who left their footprint on a wide range of written documents and upon the very landscapes and seascapes of the islands they ruled. Yet British history has tended to overlook these Late Norse maritime empires, which thrived for two centuries on the Atlantic frontiers of Britain.This book represents the first ever overview of both Manx and Hebridean dynasties that dominated Man and the Isles from the late eleventh to the mid-thirteenth centuries. Coverage is broad and is not restricted to politics and warfare. An introductory chapter examines the maritime context of the kingdoms in light of recent work in the field of maritime history, while subsequent chronological and narrative chapters trace the history of the kingdoms from their origins through their maturity to their demise in the thirteenth century. Separate chapters examine the economy and society, church and religion, power and architecture.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57490192990581,"sku":"9781910900376","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781910900376.jpg?v=1786442077"},{"product_id":"the-chronicles-of-the-kings-of-man-and-the-isles","title":"The Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles","description":"The thirteenth-century manuscript The Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles is the earliest surviving piece of historical documentation from the Isle of Man and a uniquely important source describing the rise and fall of the medieval Kingdom of Man and the Isles between about 1016 and 1316. The text is the natural starting point for anyone interested in the history of the region, its Norse–Gaelic ruling dynasty and the kingdom’s relationship with other powers in the British Isles.   This completely new translation of the Chronicles is accompanied by a historical commentary explaining the complex array of people, places and events that crowd the often-turbulent medieval history of this region. Newly translated extracts from other contemporary documents such as the Saga of King Hakon of Norway further contextualise the social, political and religious history of the kingdom and provide useful background for the Chronicles year-by-year account.   This user-friendly translation, with its wealth of supporting commentary and documentation, will be a vital resource for scholars and students as well as a fascinating read for enthusiasts.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57499128430965,"sku":"9780859767446","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780859767446.jpg?v=1786694416"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-r-andrew-mcdonald.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}