Scoto-Norman

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The term Scoto-Norman (also Franco-Scottish or Franco-Gaelic) is used to describe people, families, institutions and archaeological artifacts that are partly Scottish (in some sense) and partly Anglo-Norman (in some sense). It is used to refer to people or things of Norman, Anglo-Norman, French or even Flemish or Breton origin, [1] [2] but who are associated with Scotland in the Middle Ages like Scoto-Anglo-Saxon. [1] [2] It is also used for any of these things where they exhibit syncretism between French or Anglo-French culture on the one hand, and Gaelic culture on the other.

For instance, the Kings of Scotland between the reign of the David I and the Stewart period are often described as Scoto-Norman. A classic case of Gaelic and French cultural syncretism would be Lochlann, Lord of Galloway, who used both a Gaelic (Lochlann) and French name (Roland), and kept followers of both languages. Another example of a Scoto-Norman, would be Robert the Bruce.

The term is used by historians as an alternative to Anglo-Norman when that term pertains to Scotland. It was first used in 1829, in P. F. Tytler's History of Scotland. [1] [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Tytler, Patrick Fraser (26 October 1841). "History of Scotland: MCCCXXIX-MCCCLXX". William Tait via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 "Help". Oxford English Dictionary.