The Anatomy of the Printed Book in Early Modern Scotland
1National historiography is victim to physical necessity -the reflection on circumstances within a specified geographical boundary. A degree of 'historical bias' may even be required for the survival of the history of the small nation no matter the undoubted value of comparative processes. Nonetheless, a convincing historical approach depends on a balance struck between the study of national core themes and an honest appraisal of the influence of 'neighbouring nations'.
Ritual is a key part of the parliamentary culture of national assemblies. Sounds, symbols and ceremonial provide continuity and the reassuring presence of traditional values. Both representatives and represented, before and after modern democratic developments, gathered then and gather now to observe the ceremonial proprieties and, in particular, where the indications of sovereignty and legitimacy are shared or transferred as played out in public view. This is seen most clearly in state openings of parliament as expressed within the available space and geography of ritual. But establishing a ritualistic tradition takes time. The vacillation and uncertainty over ceremonial for the new post 1999 Scottish Parliament, in the light of its medieval and early modern precursor, shows how articulating the rules of ritual can be fraught with difficulties. This is highlighted not merely by the first opening in 1999 but also those of 2003 and 2007 greeting the second and third sessions, and also the special opening of the new parliamentary chamber at Holyrood in 2004.
In March 1508, a remarkable confrontation took place in the town of Ghent, when the Estates General met to discuss the correct order of precedence during the meeting: who had the right to speak first, the deputy of Brabant or the deputy of Flanders? This was a serious question because both the honour and the potential influence of the delegations were at stake. After all, the first speaker could set the tone, and all others had to relate their point of view to his. It was therefore logical that the governor of the Habsburg Netherlands, Archduchess Margaret of Austria, ordered the Parliament of Malines to investigate the issue. The Chancellor of Brabant, Jan van der Vorst (c.1460-1509) remarked that the Brabantine deputies of course
This article surveys the extraordinary career of the most successful priner and book trader in Scotland in the early modern period. The fact that she was a woman makes her career all the more impressive and unique, in many way
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