War and Border Societies in the Middle Ages

The frontier or "marcher" societies flourished in the Middle Ages and their influence has lasted well into modern times. In this study of Anglo-Scottish relations and of border society, the contributors examine the infrastructure beneath societies which were permanently "organized for war." They draw on Anglo-Scottish archival material to argue that the issues which feature in other frontier societies--acculturation and the creation of special institutions--appeared also on the Anglo-Scottish frontier. The book uses the celebrated Battle of Otterburn as a starting-point for a major reassessment of border society, challenging the view put forward in popular ballads that the borders were isolated and self-contained.