David the Prince

by Nigel Tranter

Book Overview

Half-Celt and half-Saxon, King David determined to take hold of his backward, patriarchal, strife-ridden country and, against all the odds, pushed and dragged it into the forefront of Christendom's advancing nations. This is a story of independence, singlemindedness and hard-headed leadership. But also, through the turbulent years of his reign, it is a story of devotion: to the woman he admired and loved, Queen Matilda. 'Through his imaginative dialogue,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0340279109
• ISBN13: 9780340279106
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The King who changed Scotland forever

A great view of one of Scotland's most influential Kings from his point of view. An unlikely monarch, Prince David was the Sixth son of the Queen Margaret and King Malcolm III of Scotland. David raised in England was Norman in nature. Surviving his father and 4 brothers who all were King, David becomes monarch and brings his Norman friends to the nobility to join the Saxon, Celt and Pict families. He also breathes new life into the Roman Church introduced by his mother. Going head to head with the Pope, he puts Scotland on par with Europe, but in so doing signs the end of the ancient Columban Church. David helps bring Scotland, kicking and screaming to the then modern world and does his best to mix old and new. While being peaceful in nature he consistently has to ward of England's ever advancing nature, rebellion and strife between the Norman, Celt and Saxon lords and fend off claimants to his throne descended from his older brothers. A truly amazing King and an excellent Novel by Nigel Tranter.