This is the first full-scale critical consideration of Scotland's earliest literature. It covers the literature produced during the medieval and early modern period in Scotland, surveying the riches of Scottish work in Gaelic, Welsh, Old Norse, Old English and Old French, Latin and Scots.

The History begins with the first full-scale critical consideration of Scotland's earliest literature, drawn from the diverse cultures and languages of its early peoples. The first volume covers the literature produced during the medieval and early modern period in Scotland, surveying the riches of Scottish work in Gaelic, Welsh, Old Norse, Old English and Old French, as well as in Latin and Scots. New scholarship is brought to bear, not only on imaginative literature, but also law, politics, theology and philosophy, all placed in the context of the evolution of Scotland's geography, history, languages and material cultures from our earliest times up to 1707.

The other volumes in the History are:

The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature, Volume 2: Enlightenment, Britain and Empire (1707-1918)

The Edinburgh History of Scottish Literature, Volume 3: Modern Transformations: New Identities (from 1918)

Key Features:

Original - presents new approaches to what is literature and what is Scottishness.

Inclusive - Gaelic and diasporic writing, Latin writing, theological writing, legal writing, and context chapters.

Comprehensive - provides the fullest coverage of Scottish literature ever and the first survey for almost 20 years.

Distinguished contributors from many countries.

Influences the agenda for critical debate on Scottish writing in the twenty-first century.