Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book highlights on the studies such as Ian Cowan's diversity of regional experiences and emphasized the need to become familiar with local variety in order to appreciate fully the bigger picture. There are some important sixteenth-century Scotsmen about whom we know a great deal. Some such as Cardinal David Beaton, George Buchanan, Patrick Hamilton, Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, Lord James Stewart and Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll each have the distinction of being the subject of an extensive biography. But none of these men was principally renowned as reforming ecclesiastics. It remains true that John Knox still occupies centre-stage in Scottish Reformation historiography. Accounts of Winram's career before the Reformation have for the most part focused only on his participation in heresy trials and in the Reforming Councils. He ended it committed to service in the new Reformed Church.