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IMC 2015: Sessions

Session 1107: New Perspectives on 15th-Century Scotland, II: Literature and Politics

Wednesday 8 July 2015, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Institute of Scottish Historical Research, University of St Andrews
Organiser:Claire Hawes, Institute of Scottish Historical Research, University of St Andrews
Moderator/Chair:Michael Brown, Institute of Scottish Historical Research, University of St Andrews
Paper 1107-aThe Reception of Cicero's De Officiis and Cato Maior De Senectute in 15th-Century Scottish Statecraft: 1441-1449
(Language: English)
Katherine Eleutheria Basanti, School of Divinity, History & Philosophy, University of Aberdeen
Index terms: Law, Learning (The Classical Inheritance), Philosophy, Political Thought
Paper 1107-bHero, Bastard, Tyrant: King Arthur in 15th-Century Scotland
(Language: English)
Liz Hanna, School of English, University of St Andrews
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Language and Literature - Other
Paper 1107-cThe Scottish Sources of John Skelton
(Language: English)
Caitlin Flynn, School of English, University of St Andrews
Index terms: Language and Literature - Middle English, Language and Literature - Other
Abstract

This interdisciplinary panel interrogates the link between Scottish literature and politics from a variety of perspectives, taking in Anglo-Scottish political relations and cultural exchange, kingship and political thought, and the historiography of the Scottish chronicle tradition.
By drawing upon scholarship which addresses both English and Scottish flyting and invective, French romance and Cicero's works on just government, this panel not only places the literature of 15th-century Scotland within a broader European context, but also firmly grounds it within the political landscape of Scotland itself. This allows each to shed new light upon the other, giving fresh insights into both contemporary literature and political practice.