Amy Hayes
Supervisors: Dr Jackson Armstrong and Dr Alastair Macdonald
Originally from Northumberland, Amy moved to Scotland in 2005 to study English and History at the University of Stirling. Throughout this degree she became interested in the study of women in Medieval Scotland, and specifically in the role and function of Scottish queen consorts. To this end Amy completed an MRes degree at the University of Stirling, supervised by Michael Penman, before moving to Aberdeen in October 2011 to begin a PhD.
The main focus of Amy’s research is Margaret of Denmark, wife of James III, and queen of Scotland 1469-1486. Little is known of Margaret, save that her marriage to one of Scotland’s most notorious kings led to the annexation of Orkney and Shetland to the Scottish Crown. Yet despite the currently limited knowledge about this queen, Margaret’s appearances within Scottish records suggest that she may have been an important and influential figure. Certainly she had a part to play in the political crisis of 1482, which saw James III held hostage and almost lose his throne. Margaret almost certainly had influence over her son, the future James IV, who lived under her care and tutelage until her death in 1486. Added to this Margaret appears to have been a deeply pious and observant queen, possibly influencing her husband’s devotions, and becoming a candidate for canonisation after her death.
This study aims to further add to our knowledge of Margaret of Denmark as queen consort of Scotland, by surveying contemporary evidence ranging from Exchequer Rolls and Treasurer’s Accounts, to ecclesiastical records, diplomatic papers, and a variety of literature. It is hoped that this will bring about a greater understanding of Margaret’s court and household, her role in diplomatic and political affairs, and her influence as a mother, as well as considering how her marriage to James III may have furthered relations between Scotland and Scandinavia. Ultimately, this study aims to shed light on the mystery surrounding one of Scotland’s most enigmatic queens.