A Layman`s Guide to the Scottish Reformation

“A Layman’s Guide to the Scottish Reformation .”

This is about the events of the period (1525-1690) that led to the establishment of the Protestant ,Presbyterian Kirk in Scotland and includes the struggles of the Covenanters.  The objective in this work is to sort the facts from the early sources that are often written with many biblical references, polemic debate and allegories that was the custom and practice of the clerical historians. Hence, the Layman`s Guide of the title.

Part I is a background to the arrival of  Protestantism in Scotland, the events of the First Reformation – John Knox and the foundation of the Presbyterian Kirk in 1560. It goes on to look at the events leading up to the imposition of an episcopal church in Scotland and the joining of the Crowns of England and Scotland in 1603 when James VI became King James I of England. 

Part II is a review of events through 1603 – 1690 which was an extraordinarily busy time for both the politics of the day and the bloody history of the strict Presbyterians, the Covenanters. This period saw James VI/I,  and his successors, pursuing `Divine Right` policies and forcing an episcopal church upon the people. Then there were further tribulations brought upon Scotland by Charles I and his acolytes Archbishop Laud, and Sir Thomas Wentworth in Ireland. The Civil wars of the three kingdoms – the last battles between England and Scotland, and the heavy hand of Cromwell that settled things for a while. In 1660 Charles II was restored to the throne and the bloody story of the Covenanters began in earnest with executions of the Marquis of Argyll, Rev James Guthrie, and Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston. Many more followed them to the gibbet or to face the rifle volley, to receive a martyr`s crown during the following twenty eight years.

A very detailed chronology which sets the events of the period in time and context is in the Appendix.

Part III is a dictionary section in which notes expand on specific events and topics mentioned in the text and chronology. These notes have been augmented with explanations of events in England and Ireland that impacted the Scots and the Reformation. 23 Appendices provide amongst other things, verbatim extracts from most of the significant documents and Declarations, including extracts from the original Covenants and other hard to come by documents. 

The book runs to nearly 600 pages and is lavishly illustrated with over 100 photographs. I have also added an extensive Glossary of mainly old Scots terms; and for convenience, a Dramatis Personae list of individuals who feature in the story of the Reformation.

I have sought to provide a  book that informs in as much detail as the reader chooses, whether for general background history, specific times and events that affected their ancestors, or deeper into understanding the theology and theocratic principles that drove Scotland to adopt Presbyterianism as its creed. As ever I hope it is a good read and a modest reference book that is easy to return to.

The Contents page of the Guide  is here.