7 - War and Peace: Scottish-Norwegian relations in the early modern period (ca. 1520–1707)

Summary

A: INTRODUCTION

Relations between Norway and Scotland in the early modern period enjoy a long-established historiography that very often centres on a few key specific themes, whether commerce, migration or war. This can revolve around particular incidents, such as the Scottish-Hanse fracas in Bergen in the 1520s (the “Scottish Incident”) or the infamous “Kringen Massacre” (Skottetoget) of 1612. Quite often, the focus lies on an incredibly influential individual in Norway, such as the Scottish lensmann of Finnmark, John Cunningham til Gjerdrup, or the ethnic Scot, priest and poet, Petter Dass (whose father came from Dundee). Moreover, scholarship commonly centres on the study of the Scottish-Norwegian timber trade, Skottehandelen, which certainly began in the sixteenth century and continued well into the eighteenth. This was, however, neither the starting period of Scottish interaction with Norway, nor its end. Indeed, dendrochronological evidence reveals the appetite for Norwegian timber for use in shipbuilding and Scottish buildings of all sizes from an earlier period. Thus a single chapter does not afford enough space to cover the wealth of material to consider. The focus of the present paper will therefore be to review key moments of Scotto-Norwegian interaction, particularly during periods of escalated tension. We can then test the impact of these events against commercial and migratory patterns to see how, or even if, they impacted in any meaningful way upon relations between the two kingdoms.

Of course, the fact that for the majority of the period under consideration, both Scotland and Norway were part of multiple monarchies cannot be ignored. As such, Denmark and England are mentioned where relevant to the argument. Omitting these nations would distort the context of Scottish-Norwegian interaction during this, sometimes tempestuous, period.

B: SCOTLAND AND NORWAY: THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL BACKGROUND

Roots to the early modern relations between Scotland and Norway can be traced right back to the Scottish-Norwegian “Treaty of Perth” (1266). This treaty was subsequently reratified twice, in 1312 and again in 1426, the latter occasion following the formation of the Scandinavian Kalmar Union in 1397. Scotto-Norwegian ties were reinforced when Margaret, daughter of Christian I of the Kalmar Union, became queen to James III of Scotland in July 1469. As well as improved trade relations, the marriage led to specific diplomatic and military opportunities for individual Scots in Scandinavia.