Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707
The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 is a comprehensive online publication that serves as a digital gateway to the legislative history of Scotland. A collaborative effort between the Scottish Parliament and the University of St Andrews, this database documents the proceedings of the Parliament of Scotland from 1235 up until the Act of Union, which merged the parliaments of Scotland and England.
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Project Origins and Funding
The vision for this digital archive was formulated in 1996 by Professor Keith Brown of St Andrews University. The project received rapid official support, with funding approved by Michael Forsyth, the then-Secretary of State for Scotland, and publicly announced by Prime Minister John Major on July 4, 1996.
While the Scottish Office provided the initial financial backing, the broader Scottish Parliament Project was sustained through contributions from several key organizations, including the Scottish Government, the Arts and Humanities Research Board, and the Strathmartine Trust.
Development and Scale
Spanning eleven years of meticulous work under the general editorship of Professor Brown, the project resulted in a massive database containing approximately fifteen million words. To ensure accessibility for modern researchers, the archive provides parallel translations of the original texts, which were written in Latin, Norman French, and Scots.
The technical infrastructure of the site was led by website developer Swithun Crowe, and the platform was officially launched to the public in 2008.
Editorial Leadership
The accuracy of the historical texts was ensured by a team of primary editors specializing in different eras:
- Roland Tanner: Medieval and Latin texts.
- Alastair Mann: Early Modern texts.
- Gillian McIntosh: Early Modern texts.
- Pamela Ritchie: Early Modern texts.
Key Facts
- Timeframe: Covers parliamentary proceedings from 1235 to the Act of Union (1707).
- Scale: Approximately 15 million words of text.
- Languages: Includes original Latin, Norman French, and Scots with parallel translations.
- Launch Date: The website went live in 2008.
- Partnership: A joint venture between the University of St Andrews and the Scottish Parliament.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| General Editor | Professor Keith Brown |
| Lead Developer | Swithun Crowe |
| Funding Bodies | Scottish Office, Scottish Government, Arts and Humanities Research Board, Strathmartine Trust |
| Project Duration | 11 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707?
It is an online database and publication that archives the proceedings of the Parliament of Scotland from 1235 until the Act of Union in 1707.
Who was responsible for the project's academic leadership?
The project was formulated and led by Professor Keith Brown of St Andrews University, who served as the general editor.
What languages are represented in the database?
The records include original texts in Latin, Norman French, and Scots, all of which are accompanied by parallel translations.
When was the digital archive made available to the public?
The website was officially launched in 2008 following an eleven-year development period.
Who funded the creation of this database?
Funding was provided by the Scottish Office, the Scottish Government, the Arts and Humanities Research Board, and the Strathmartine Trust.