British Union

Paul J. McGinnis, Arthur H. Williamson

• Contents: Introduction; The Scottish Commonwealth: from George Buchanan to David Hume; Britain's lost Renaissance: from citizen to subject; David Hume and radical Britain; The De Unione and its fate; Book One; Book Two: Andrew Melville's letter; To the reader; The necessity of a union founded on mutual love; The name: Britannia; Emblems and insignia; Treaties and ordinances; The councils; The Parliament; Offices; Currency; Commerce; Laws and the courts; Immunities and privileges; Association; Exhortation; Marriage; Education; Colonies; Religion; The oath; A British order of knighthood; Triennial visits; Society; Prayers for Britain; Summary of the argument; Apologia; Bibliography; Index.

'In providing the first English translation of Hume's text, Paul McGinnis and Arthur Williamson have provided invaluable possibilities for anyone interested in the political, philosophical, or religious strategies of the Jacobean period. It is, in short, a major contribution to Early Modern studies... McGinnis and Williamson's translation of De Unione may well become a seminal work in the field. It is certainly required reading for anyone wishing a deeper understanding of the Scottish Renaissance or the early Jacobean years in England.' Sixteenth Century Journal 'In providing a critical edition and translation of David Hume of Godscroft's De Unione Insulae Britannicae, Paul McGinnis and Arthur Williamson have done students and scholars of early modern Britain a tremendous service. As the first translation of Hume's tract, this edition makes readily available a much neglected text.' Early Modern Literary Studies