فصل الخطاب
Volume 14, Numéro 3, Pages 463-476
2025-09-30

Uniting Enemies Through Holy Matrimony: Anglo-scottish Dynastic Marriages As Political Instruments Of Peace And National Progress

Authors : Teguia Cherif .

Abstract

Dynastic unions between rival states was one of the most common practices in medieval times. This had the aim of not only favouring friendship and reducing hostility between rivals, but also contributing in each side’s national development. This article aims to put forward the delicate role played by dynastic marriages in favouring peace among warring nations during medieval times and in promoting national progress by casting light on the economic and cultural foreign contributions one side had on the other. Based on the findings, it is clear that the royal union between the two opposing sides had an impact, deeper than the one military intervention had. On the one hand, it contributed in setting the ground for a long-lasting friendship and assistance between both counterparts, and on the other hand, it also promoted bringing progress in various aspects of life, such as economy and culture.

Keywords

Dynastic unions ; rival states ; medieval times, ; national development ; economic contribution ; cultural contribution