The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (RPS) is a fully searchable database containing the proceedings of the Scottish parliament from the first surviving act of 1235 to the union of 1707. The culmination of over ten years’ work by researchers from the Scottish Parliament Project based in the School of History at the University of St Andrews, the online edition seeks to make this key historical source freely available to all in a technologically advanced and user-friendly format.
The inclusion of new parliaments and conventions of estates, committee records, parliamentary minutes and additional material makes the online edition the most comprehensive record of Scottish parliamentary proceedings ever available. All the sources which make up the proceedings of the pre-1707 Scottish parliament are fully cited and an extensive editorial apparatus included, enabling for the first time a proper understanding of the many and varied sources which make up Scotland’s parliamentary record. A parallel translation of the original Latin, French and Scots text into English and the standardisation of place and personal names, where identifiable, enables keyword searches on an infinite number of subjects, with direct links from the modern translation to the original manuscript record.
Not sure where to start? Take a look at the ideas for further research page for more on what kind of information can be found within the parliamentary record and for areas suitable for further investigation.
Accessibility and transparency are watchwords for RPS. The provision of both the original manuscript text and a modernised translation ensures the database is accessible to a wide range of potential users. To aid comprehension, RPS has also been supplemented with a series of accompanying user tools and learning resources accessible from the menu on the left. An Editorial Introduction provides a clear explanation of the editorial policy adopted by the Scottish Parliament Project team in compiling this resource. In addition, a Short History of the Scottish parliament is provided for those unfamiliar with the background of the pre-1707 institution, while a more in-depth Historical Introduction traces the origins and evolution of parliament over its 500-year history. A detailed Glossary seeks to provide an explanation of some of the common legal and historical terms used in the database. Furthermore, an extensive Bibliography suggests further reading for users wishing to explore the history of the pre-1707 Scottish parliament in more detail. These elements represent the essential apparatus designed to deliver maximum accessibility to this significant historical resource.