Oppressions of the Sixteenth Century in the Islands of Orkney and Zetland

Step into the turbulent world of 16th‑century Orkney and Zetland, where feuding nobles and distant courts clashed over the lives of islanders. This collection brings together freshly transcribed original manuscripts—complaints, petitions, and royal commissions—preserved in Scottish state papers and private archives. Listeners will hear the raw language of the period, with a helpful glossary that untangles archaic terms and regional expressions.

Among the documents are the stark accusations lodged against Lord Robert Stuart in 1575, the heartfelt grievances of Zetland residents against Laurence Bruce in early 1576, and a formal commission sent by King James VI to investigate the alleged abuses. A supplication presented to Parliament by the gentlemen of Orkney and Zetland further reveals how local leaders attempted to defend their odal rights. Together, these pieces paint a vivid portrait of power, resistance, and community life on Scotland’s remote islands.