Wild Men and Holy Places: St Ninian, Whithorn and the Medieval Realm of Galloway

(Paperback, Reissue)

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Drawing upon historical research and archaeological discoveries, Daphne Brooke brings to life the events and personalities of the ancient realm of Galloway from Roman times until the fifteenth century. This mysterious region of south-west Scotland has for centuries attracted pilgrims to its holy places, especially Whithorn, ever since St Ninian founded Candida Casa (now known as Whithorn) in the early Christian era. Galloway's troubles began in Roman times, when the territory was occupied by Britons who had little in common with their northern neighbours, the Picts and the Scots. A few centuries later, the rulers of Northumbria held sway over Galloway, binding the two provinces in culture. But Galloway's sense of identity was stronger than its recognition of shared interests. The region stubbornly resisted Anglo-Norman domination and assimilation into the Kingdom of Scotland.

Oram's new introduction appraises the significance of Wild Men and Holy Places in the new historiography of Scotland that emerged at the close of the twentieth century and its place in the radical revision of our understanding of conversion and state-building in the Early Historic and medieval eras. It explores how Brooke's interdisciplinary approach to the poorly documented history of Galloway set a new benchmark for accessible history: she stimulated wider research of this under-studied region, and her enduring impact still shapes public understanding of the role of St Ninian, the Northumbrians, Gall Gaidhil and the kings and lords of Galloway in the story of Scotland's making.

Author Bio

Daphne Brooke gained a degree in history from University College London. After retirement from the Civil Service, she settled in south-west Scotland and spent the next twenty-five years researching the place-names and history of early Christian and medieval Galloway, transforming understanding of the complex cultural heritage of this region through a series of academic and popular publications. She was an occasional lecturer for Glasgow University, contributing to their Adult and Continuing Education programme in Dumfries and Galloway, and a founding member of the research committee of the Whithorn Trust, which led to close involvement in the archaeological excavations at Whithorn.