Donation and Conquest: The Formation of Lothian and the Origins of the Anglo-Scottish Border

Various ‘donation’ accounts of the twelfth century attempted to explain Scottish rule ‘Lothian’ as outcome grants from English rulers kings. Until relatively recently historians both Scotland and England tended accept these accounts. However, was a politically sensitive topic in thirteenth centuries, value for an earlier period is low. There variety evidence better value, although guidance strictly contemporary sources very poor prior later eleventh century, continuous south Forth cannot be traced reign Máel Coluim III (r. 1058–1093), case some areas David his son 1113/24–1153). It suggested that emergence jurisdiction response political changes era, important development its own right but also critical intermediate familiar Anglo-Scottish border.