Keeping it in the family

In a period where politics could not be separated from dynasty
and the personal relationships between individuals were crucial
to government, women often played a key role in diplomacy. This
was certainly the case in relations between England and Scotland
in the medieval period, with sisters, daughters and cousins of
English kings regularly being dispatched north of the border to
forge links through marriage with the Scottish kings. This talk
draws on records at The National Archives and elsewhere to
illuminate the roles that these women played and discuss what
light they can shed on Anglo-Scottish relations.


Dr Jessica Nelson works at The National Archives specialising in
the high medieval period and her research interests include royal
women and queenship.