LAIRDS OF FOVERAN: ON THE QUESTION OF "NORMAN FACTOR" IN THE SYSTEM OF FIEF MANAGEMENT OF THE MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND

Abstract

The article examines the role of «Normans» people from French lands (Normandy, Brittany, Flanders) in the process of formation and development of the system of feudal management in medieval Scotland, in connection with which the authors use the term "Norman factor". In the authors' opinion, the «Norman factor» was manifested in this country as a result of the activities of families like the Turings of Foveran, who, after integrating into the system of the feudal administration of medieval Scotland, intensively developed it. The article also analyzes the generic name of the Turings, their family motto and family heraldry. The authors conclude that the lairds of Foveran were from Normandy. The chronological scope of the article covers the period from the first half of the 14th century. before the beginning of the XVII century. Throughout this time, the Turings controlled their feudal holdings of Foveran in Aberdeenshire, demonstrating a typical example of the presence of the "Norman" elite in Scotland.