Description

The Northern Earldoms

Barbara E. Crawford

Explore the remarkable medieval history of northern Scotland in The Northern Earldoms by distinguished historian Barbara E. Crawford.

Focusing on the earldoms of Orkney and Caithness, the book examines a fascinating period when the north of Scotland stood at the meeting point of the Norse and Scottish worlds. Crawford explores the people, politics and shifting allegiances that shaped these territories, revealing the powerful connections that once stretched across the North Atlantic.

For those interested in Rosslyn Chapel and the St Clair family, the book provides valuable historical context. The St Clairs became Earls of Orkney during the later medieval period, and William St Clair – the founder of Rosslyn Chapel – held the title before relinquishing it in 1470. Understanding the northern earldoms helps illuminate the wider political and cultural world in which the St Clair family rose to prominence.

Scholarly yet rewarding, The Northern Earldoms is an excellent choice for readers wishing to delve more deeply into the Norse heritage of Scotland, Orkney, Caithness and the medieval history connected with the St Clairs.

A fascinating exploration of the northern world that forms an important part of the wider story behind Rosslyn Chapel.