Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286-1603

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Nigel Tranter is a Scottish author who wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.

This page includes those of his historical novels set in Scotland in the period 1286-1603. This begins with the death of Alexander III, which precipitated the Contest for the Crown and the Wars of Scottish Independence. The period closes with the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland acceded the English throne.

For historical novels set outside this timeframe see Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286 or Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set after 1603.

For other books by Nigel Tranter, see here.

Contents 1 The Wars of Independence (1286-1329) 1.1 The Isleman 1.2 The Wallace 1.3 Robert the Bruce trilogy 2 The Bruce Legacy (1329-1406) 2.1 Flower of Chivalry 2.2 Courting Favour 2.3 Stewart trilogy 2.4 The End of the Line 3 The Jameses (1406-1542) 3.1 Lion Let Loose 3.2 The Lion's Whelp 3.3 Black Douglas 3.4 Price of a Princess 3.5 Lord in Waiting 3.6 The Admiral 3.7 Chain of Destiny 3.8 A Flame for the Fire 3.9 A Stake in the Kingdom 3.10 James V trilogy 4 Mary and James VI (1513-1603) 4.1 The Marchman 4.2 Warden of the Queen's March 4.3 The Queen's Grace 4.4 A Rage of Regents 4.5 Right Royal Friend 4.6 Master of Gray trilogy 4.7 Children of the Mist

[edit] The Wars of Independence (1286-1329)

[edit] The Isleman

Angus Og MacDonald

[edit] The Wallace

1296-1305 William Wallace

[edit] Robert the Bruce trilogy

Originally published as three books. It was later published in one volume as The Bruce Trilogy.

Robert the Bruce: The Steps to the Empty Throne

First published in 1969 by Hodder & Stoughton.

Set during the period 1296-1306, this book follows the life of Robert, Earl of Carrick as he begins to understand his destiny. It begins with John I of Scotland (John Balliol) humiliated and stripped of his crown by Edward I of England. A shocked witness, Robert Bruce is forced to consider his own loyalties. As Scotland suffers an English invasion and occupation, Bruce begins his struggle to establish a new order in Scotland. There are collaborations, and clashes of vision, with his contemporary William Wallace, alliances and friendships with, amongst others, James Douglas and William de Lamberton, and deadly rivalry with John Comyn. Bruce and Comyn's argument in Greyfriars Church, which resulted in Comyn's death, causes Bruce to be hastily crowned King of Scotland. The story ends with his loss at the Battle of Methven, and escape.

By telling the story from Bruce's point-of-view, Tranter shows clearly how Scotland's turbulent politics and Bruce's own mixed loyalties informed his actions, providing credible motives for his apparent 'switching sides' (as he had supported Edward I at one time) and murder of Comyn.

For further historical detail see: Wars of Scottish Independence; First War of Scottish Independence.

Robert the Bruce: The Path of the Hero King

First published in 1970 by Hodder & Stoughton.

1306-1314

Robert the Bruce: The Price of the King's Peace

First published in 1971 by Hodder & Stoughton.

1314-1328

[edit] The Bruce Legacy (1329-1406)

[edit] Flower of Chivalry

1332-1342 Alexander Ramsay and William Douglas, Lord of Liddesdale

[edit] Courting Favour

John Cospatrick, Earl of Moray

[edit] Stewart trilogy

Lords of Misrule

1388-1396

A Folly of Princes

1396-1402

The Captive Crown

1402-1411

[edit] The End of the Line

[edit] The Jameses (1406-1542)

[edit] Lion Let Loose

1403-1437 James I

[edit] The Lion's Whelp

1437-1460 James II and Alexander Lyon, Master and then 2nd Lord of Glamis

• Period covered: the boy-king's time under regents Crichton, Livingston and Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas; the fall of the Black Douglases; the death of James II.

[edit] Black Douglas

1448-1452 William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas

[edit] Price of a Princess

1466-1469 Mary Stewart

[edit] Lord in Waiting

1474-? Mary Stewart

[edit] The Admiral

First published in 2001 by Hodder & Stoughton. Paperback edition 2001.

The story of Sir Andrew Wood of Largo, sea-captain under James III, James IV and the infant James V.

[edit] Chain of Destiny

1488-1513 James IV

[edit] A Flame for the Fire

1494-1513 James IV, Janet Kennedy, David Kennedy, 1st Earl of Cassilis

[edit] A Stake in the Kingdom

1513-1546 Cardinal David Beaton

[edit] James V trilogy

The Riven Realm David Lyndsay

1513-1524

James by the Grace of God

1524-1537

Rough Wooing

1537-1550

[edit] Mary and James VI (1513-1603)

[edit] The Marchman

1542-1563

[edit] Warden of the Queen's March

1561-1568

[edit] The Queen's Grace

1562

[edit] A Rage of Regents

1568-1587

[edit] Right Royal Friend

[edit] Master of Gray trilogy

Lord and Master

1574-1587

The Courtesan

1587-1592

Past Master

1592-1603

[edit] Children of the Mist