The reassessment of the medieval legacy of Man highlights the island's position as a cockpit of English, Scottish, Irish and Norwegian power-politics, exploring the multi-cultural traditions of Man, and reassessing the role it was to play throughout the medieval period as a focal point in a complex nexus of inter-relationships (linguistic, economic, ecclesiastical, political, military and so forth) which linked the various peoples of the British Isles and Scandinavia.

By bringing together the fruits of the labours of several scholars of international repute, some of whom are resident on the island, the comprehensive analysis provided in this volume marks a significant advance in the current level of understanding Manx history in the Middle Ages, forming a body of knowledge that will be of benefit both to Manx people and to the wider readership beyond its shores. Because of the specific requirements of documentary research in the medieval period, most of the work has been carried out by authorities in the field as an extension of their existing interests.