Kingdom of Scotland History of the Constitution of the United Kingdom

origins

from fifth century ad, north britain divided series of petty kingdoms. ferocious viking raids beginning in ad 793 may have speeded long-term process of gaelicisation of pictish kingdoms, adopted gaelic language , customs. there merger of gaelic , pictish kingdoms. culminated in rise of cínaed mac ailpín (kenneth macalpin) king of picts in 840s (traditionally dated 843), brought power house of alpin. when died king of combined kingdom in 900 1 of successors, domnall ii (donald ii), first man called rí alban (king of alba). term scotia increasingly used describe heartland of these kings, north of river forth, , entire area controlled kings referred scotland. long reign (900–942/3) of donald s successor causantín (constantine ii) regarded key formation of kingdom of alba/scotland, , later credited bringing scottish christianity conformity catholic church.

máel coluim (malcolm i) (reigned c. 943–954) annexed strathclyde, on kings of alba had exercised authority since later ninth century. reign of david has been characterised davidian revolution , in introduced system of feudal land tenure, established first royal burghs in scotland , first recorded scottish coinage, , continued process of religious , legal reforms.

government


coronation of alexander iii of scotland @ scone abbey; beside him mormaers of strathearn , fife while genealogy recited royal poet.

the unified kingdom of alba retained of ritual aspects of pictish , scottish kingship. these can seen in elaborate ritual coronation @ stone of scone @ scone abbey.

while scottish monarchy in middle ages largely itinerant institution, scone remained 1 of important locations, royal castles @ stirling , perth becoming significant in later middle ages before edinburgh developed capital city in second half of fifteenth century.

the crown remained important element of government, despite many royal minorities. in late middle ages, saw of aggrandisement associated new monarchs elsewhere in europe. theories of constitutional monarchy , resistance articulated scots, particularly george buchanan, in sixteenth century, james vi of scotland advanced theory of divine right of kings, , these debates restated in subsequent reigns , crises. court remained @ centre of political life, , in sixteenth century emerged major centre of display , artistic patronage, until dissolved union of crowns in 1603.

the scottish crown adopted conventional offices of western european courts, including high steward, chamberlain, lord high constable, earl marischal , lord chancellor. king s council emerged full-time body in fifteenth century, increasingly dominated laymen , critical administration of justice. privy council, developed in mid-sixteenth century, , great offices of state, including chancellor, secretary , treasurer, remained central administration of government, after departure of stuart monarchs rule in england 1603. however, sidelined , abolished after acts of union 1707, rule direct london.

the parliament of scotland emerged major legal institution, gaining oversight of taxation , policy. end of middle ages sitting every year, partly because of frequent royal minorities , regencies of period, may have prevented being sidelined monarchy. in modern era, parliament vital running of country, providing laws , taxation, had fluctuating fortunes , never central national life counterpart in england.

in period kings of scots depended on great lords of mormaers (later earls) , toísechs (later thanes), reign of david i, sheriffdoms introduced, allowed more direct control , gradually limited power of major lordships. in seventeenth century creation of justices of peace , commissioner of supply helped increase effectiveness of local government. continued existence of courts baron , introduction of kirk sessions helped consolidate power of local lairds.