Abstract
In his Chronicle of John Hardyng (1st version, 1457; 2nd version, 1465), Hardyng shows that Scottish kings did homage to English kings, adding a map and an itinerary of Scotland. In support, Hardyng forged several documents, to prove Scotland's vassal status, which he submitted to the English government with his Chronicle. Hardyng's motive for the forgeries, their function or how they relate to the Chronicle text, or his intent in incorporating Scottish materials. This paper argues that Hardyng's description of Scotland, combined with his forged documents, was his response to finding Scottish historical materials contradicting his claim for English sovereignty over Scotland. Hargyng's forged documents rebutted a discourse tracing through holy women a hereditary for Scottish kings to the English crown.
Recommended Citation
Harikae, Ryoko
(2022)
"Female Inheritance and Forged Documents: John Hardyng’s Use of Scottish Materials in his Chronicle,"
Studies in Scottish Literature:
Vol. 48:
Iss.
2, 26–36.
DOI: 10.51221/suc.ssl.2023.48.2.5
Available at:
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/ssl/vol48/iss2/5