Protest, Revolution and War: People's History of Scotland - The Story So Far
Catch up with our long-form podcast
We’ve received a lot of positive feedback for our long-form history podcast A People’s History of Scotland. So far we’ve covered the emergence of civilisation in Scotland, the wars of independence, the Reformation and civil war and the enlightenment and the rise of capitalism.
We’ve still got much more to come, and we encourage you to share the podcast with friends if you’ve found it informative. You can also find many more podcasts like this by becoming a subscriber on our Patreon.
There are many histories of Scotland out there, but there’s nothing quite like this one. Most of what you’ll find in the media or schools is a history from the perspectives of rulers. The problem isn’t just that this is less than half the story - it’s that from the vantage point of Kings, politicians, landlords and capitalists, the real nature and dynamics of society are obscured.
We are producing this series, including interviews with renowned historians and other experts, not only re-examine Scotland’s lost history, but also for the light it sheds on our present. We hope you are enjoying the series so far, and look forward to new episodes!
Episode 1: Introduction
Chris Bambery and Sara Bennett introduce the podcast, and discuss the nature of class society in Scotland, and its relationship to historical study.
Episode 2: The Wars of Independence
Offering fresh perspectives on William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scotts, host Sara Bennett is joined by author Chris Bambery to explore one of the most tumultuous periods in Scottish history—the two wars of independence.
Episode 3: Reformation and War
Charting developments in the 16th and 17th centuries, Sara and Chris are joined by Conter editor, David Jamieson, to guide you through three tumultuous moments in Scottish history: first, they analyze the Union of the Crowns, and the chain of events sparked by it. They explore the English revolution and Scotland’s role in it, asking why radical democratic movements like the Levellers emerged in England but no parallel appeared north of the border. Finally, they investigate how all of these stories are intertwined with the power of religion.
Rebel Lives 1: John Knox
Historian Chris Bambery and Conter editor David Jamieson discuss this complex figure, largely maligned and forgotten by modern Scotland. Was Knox a narrow minded misogynist who burdened Scotland with a legacy of religious sectarianism, or a radical opponent of authority in his own day who helped birth ideas of democracy?
Episode 4: The Act of Union and the Jacobite Rising
On this episode of a People's History of Scotland, Chris Bambery and Sara Bennett are joined by renowned Scottish historian Chris Whatley, to discuss the Act of Union, resistance to it, and the social forces that made up the Jacobite cause.
Episode 5: Enlightenment and the Rise of Capitalism
After the suppression of the 1745 Rebellion, a new Scotland is born. Edinburgh becomes a seat of the Enlightenment, and the countryside is transformed by new capitalist relations.