Book extract ‘The Kingdom of the Isles’ by David Caldwell, 2014. An overview of the sea kingdom of the western isles of Scotland and its links with the Isle of Man, from which it was ruled during the Medieval period. Topics covered include the extent and influence of the kingdom of the isles, administrators, castles, the church, economy, mercenary services, art and architecture.
Book extract ‘The Sea Power of the Western Isles of Scotland in the late Medieval Period’ by David Caldwell, 2015, about the struggle for domination of the isles between Somerled and the Kings of the Isles based on the Isle of Man, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Topics covered are the ships, galleys and birlinns used to patrol the islands, the extent of the island kingdom, the warriors, and the social, legal and political management of the kingdom.
Notes titled ‘A Tyrannical and Tiresome Tirade on Tiree by a Tired Retiree’ on the Medieval history and archaeology of Tiree by David Caldwell, casting doubt on the popular view that Tiree (along with Mull and Islay) was ruled by Somerled and his descendents to the exclusion of the dynasty of kings. David Caldwell, retired Keeper of Medieval Department at the National Museum of Scotland, gave a talk on the subject during a visit to Tiree in April 2016.
West Highland Notes & Queries, November 1991. Journal of The Society of West Highland and Islands Historical Research Ltd, Series 2, No. 8. Articles included: Fogl/Fugl – an unusual Hebridean personal name; the death and burial of Somerled of Argyll; notes on the genealogy of Clann Eoin Mhoir; Livingstones in the North of Mull; Ulva; William MacLachlan, Minister of Kilmartin.
Paperback book `The Kingdom of the Isles` by R. Andrew McDonald.
The history of the western seaboard of Scotland from Somerled to John MacDonald, first Lord of the Isles.
Paperback book `Somerled and the emergence of Gaelic in Scotland` by John Marsden.
History of Somerled and a `proposal of his importance as the one personality who, more than any other, represents the first fully fledged emergence of the medieval Celtic-Scandinavian province from which the Gaelic Scotland of today is directly descended.`
