Scotland's Pages - Scotland's Written History


National Library of Scotland

Historical timeline – 1950-2000

Follow the links to read about a historic event or see an image of an important document.




1040
Accession of Macbeth, King of Scotland.

Around the world ...
1042 Accession of Edward the Confessor, King of England.

circa 1070
Malcolm III marries Queen (later Saint) Margaret.

Around the world ...
1066 Battle of Hastings: Norman conquest of England.

1093
Deaths of Malcolm and Margaret.

Around the world ...
1086-1090 Domesday Book.

1107
Accession of Alexander I.

Around the world ...
1099 Crusaders take Jerusalem.


1124
Accession of David I.

Around the world ...
1118 Foundation of Knights Templar.

1138
Scots defeated by English at Battle of the Standard.

Around the world ...
1139 Civil War in England between the Empress Matilda and Stephen.

1153
Accession of Malcolm IV, 'The Maiden'.

Around the world ...
1152 Frederick the Great changes his title to Holy Roman Emperor.

1159
The Kelso Charter.

1165
Accession of William 'Garbh' (the rough') – William the Lion.

Around the world ...
1171 Henry II of England successfully invades Ireland.


1180
The Iona Psalter.

Around the world ...
1199 Death of Richard the Lionheart of England.

1218
The Pope recognises independence of the Scottish Church.

Around the world ...
1215 King John seals Magna Carta at Runnymede.

1249
Accession of Alexander III.

Around the world ...
1217 Death of Genghis Khan.

1263
Scots defeat Haakon at Battle of Largs.

Around the world ...
1272 Accession of Edward I of England

1280
The Murthly Hours.

1286
Alexander III dies in fall from horse.


1296
Edward I defeats Scots – King John Balliol deposed.

Around the world ...
1296 Stone of Scone taken to Westminster by Edward I.

1297
William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeat English at Stirling Bridge.

1298
Defeat of Wallace at Falkirk.

1305
Wallace executed.

Around the world ...
1302 Philip IV of France defeated by Flemish spearmen using tactics similar to Wallace.
1303 Death of pro-Scottish Pope Boniface VIII.

1306
Robert Bruce crowned at Scone.

Around the world ...
1307 Death of Edward I of England
1309 Papacy moved from Rome to Avignon.


1314
Bruce defeats Edward II at Bannockburn.

Around the world ...
1313 Gunpowder introduced to Europe.

1371
Robert II – first Stewart King of Scotland.

Around the world ...
1347 First outbreak of Black Death (bubonic plague) in Europe.

1411
St Andrews University founded.

Around the world ...
1400 Richard II of England murdered
1415 English defeat French at Battle of Agincourt.

1437
James I murdered at Perth.

Around the world ...
1431 Joan of Arc burnt at the stake by the English.


1454
'Scotichronicon'.

1460
James II killed by exploding cannon.

Around the world ...
1455 Printing of the Gutenberg Bible.

1488
'The Wallace'.

Around the world ...
1485 Richard III of England killed in battle. Accession of Henry VII.

1488
Murder of James III at Sauchieburn. Accession of James IV.

1489
'The Bruce'.