Scottish noblewomen, the family and Scottish politics from 1688-1707
The Scottish perspective of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 has received limited scholarly attention. The opposite is true of the Union of 1707 and this defining moment, which resulted in the loss of Scottish independence, continues to stimulate debate. The lives of Scottish noblewomen in the years from Revolution to Union have generally been disregarded. This thesis will demonstrate that acknowledging and exploring the experiences of noblewomen augments understanding of this momentous era. Investigating the lives of Scottish noblewomen using their letters to explore how they lived through the Revolution, the âill yearsâ of King Williamâs reign, the Darien venture, European war and ultimately the negotiation of Union provides fresh perspectives on the social, economic and political life of Scotland. Recovering the experience of noblewomen engages with a wider process in Scottish history which has transformed understanding in some areas of historical study but has by no means permeated all. Redefining female political activity has illuminated the influence of elite English women in the later eighteenth century. Scottish noblewomen require similar extensive study. The research presented here supports the
Cowmeadow, Nicola Margaret
Noblewomen, Union of 1707, Glorious Revolution 1688, women and estate managment, early modern women and politics
Scottish noblewomen, the family and Scottish politics from 1688-1707. The Scottish perspective of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 has received limited scholarly attention. The opposite is true of the Union of 1707 and this defining moment, which resulted in the loss of Scottish independence, continues to stimulate debate. The lives of Scottish noblewomen in the years from Revolution to Union have generally been disregarded. This thesis will demonstrate that acknowledging and exploring the experiences of noblewomen augments understanding of this momentous era. Investigating the lives of Scottish noblewomen using their letters to explore how they lived through the Revolution, the âill yearsâ of King Williamâs reign, the Darien venture, European war and ultimately the negotiation of Union provides fresh perspectives on the social, economic and political life of Scotland. Recovering the experience of noblewomen engages with a wider process in Scottish history which has transformed understanding in some areas of historical study but has by no means permeated all. Redefining female political activity has illuminated the influence of elite English women in the later eighteenth century. Scottish noblewomen require similar extensive study. The research presented here supports the
scottish noblewoman family scottish politics scottish perspective glorious_revolution receive_limited scholarly_attention opposite true union define moment result loss scottish independence continue stimulate debate life scottish noblewoman year revolution union generally disregard acknowledge explore experience momentous era investigating life scottish noblewoman use letter explore live revolution ill year king william reign venture european war ultimately negotiation union provide_fresh perspective social_economic political_life scotland experience noblewoman engage wide process scottish_history transform area historical_study mean permeate all female political_activity illuminate influence elite english woman scottish noblewoman require similar extensive study present support