eBook

Remembering the Past in Nineteenth-Century Scotland

Coleman, James

2014

Overview

At a time when the Union between Scotland and England is once again under the spotlight, Remembering the Past in Nineteenth-Century Scotland examines the way in which Scotland's national heroes were once remembered as champions of both Scottish and British patriotism. Whereas 19th-century Scotland is popularly depicted as a mire of sentimental Jacobitism and kow-towing unionism, this book shows how Scotland's national heroes were once the embodiment of a consistent, expressive and robust view of Scottish nationality. Whether celebrating the legacy of William Wallace and Robert Bruce, the reformer John Knox, the Covenanters, 19th-century Scots rooted their national heroes in a Presbyterian and unionist view of Scotland's past. Examined through the prism of commemoration, this book uncovers collective memories of Scotland's past entirely opposed to 21st-century assumptions of medieval proto-nationalism and Calvinist misery. Key Features * Detailed studies of 19th-century commemoration of Scotland's national heroes * Uncovers an all but forgotten interpretation of these 'great Scots' * Shines a new light on the mindset of nineteenth-century Scottish national identity as being comfortably Scottish and British * Overturns the prevailing view of Victorian Scottishness as parochial, sentimental tartanry

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Subject: 19th century / Collective memory / Heroes / History / HISTORY / General / HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General / National characteristics, Scottish / National characteristics, Scottish -- History -- 19th century / Nationalism / Nationalism -- Scotland -- 19th century / Nationalism and historiography / Scotland / Scottish Studies
• ISBN: 0748676902, 9780748676903