IIIâThe Central Middle Ages (900â1200)
C.P. Lewis|Bernard Gowers
C.P. Lewis British histories There is little this year that takes the whole of Isles as its field, but Clare Downham, Viking kings Britain and Ireland: dynasty Ívarr to A.D. 1014 (Dunedin Academic P., £25), although concerned with just one Scandinavian based in what came be backwater Isle Man, provides a detailed political narrative analysis across Isles. She draws on numismatic, archaeological, place-name evidence besides written sources, many ways replaces Alfred Smyth's York Dublin (1979) first point reference for her topic. Unlike Smyth, she avoids relying highly problematic much later Icelandic sagas. A byproduct interest connections Irish Sea ‘St Bega: myth, maiden, or bracelet? An Insular cult origins' (J. Med. Hist., 33). England: sources their interpretation Two further exemplary editions edited very highest standards Oxford Medieval Texts (OMT) series lead way. John Hudson (ed. trans.), Historia ecclesie abbendonensis: history church Abingdon, volume 1 (Clarendon £100) completes his two-volume edition source which not about Abingdon abbey important Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Norman generally (volume 2 appeared 2007). complex text here presented great clarity, an excellent facing-page translation, copious scholarly commentary. M. Winterbottom William Malmesbury: Gesta pontificum anglorum, The English bishops, I: translation £110) two volumes will set wholly new footing historians' use Malmesbury's enthralling compendium story-telling bishops dioceses. We await companion including introduction OMT has been exceptionally productive recent years, making Norman Conquest period available (in libraries, given price) more reliable than previously. They are used advanced undergraduate work, need lot explanation, so warm welcome can Eric Knibbs, ‘How modern critical medieval Latin texts’ (Hist. Compass, 5/6). On Chronicle, Stephen Baxter, ‘MS C Chronicle politics mid-eleventh-century England’ (E.H.R., 122) showing how developed last years England, well strong case different manuscripts embody period. long better Geoffrey Monmouth's fabulous early Britain, want now filled by Michael D. Reeve (ed.) Neil Wright (trans.), Monmouth, Britain: De gestis Britonum (Historia regum Britannie) (Boydell £50). secure knowledge complicated manuscript transmission (some 220 having survived), elegant readable. This becomes standard edition, should open up confident intriguing text. David Roffe, Decoding Domesday £50) builds idea powerfully (and controversially) Domesday: inquest book (2000): Book was intended outcome Inquest. He sees shift concerns people who devised carried through became Book, from diversified geld (i.e. taxation) service Inquest, lordship Book. His view described only land assessed service, all land, if correct, changes fundamentally mined information late eleventh-century England. But even central accepted some reviewers clearly do not), useful accounts historiography scholarship contents Roffe brief taster ‘Decoding Domesday’ Today, June Still I am sorry say preface Colin Flight, survey studies documentation resulting conducted 1086 (British Archaeological Reports, Ser. 405, 2006, £30) enough put me off reading any more. It symptomatic author's approach he cannot bring himself call it everyone else calls it. evidently painstaking may have produced gems, doubtful whether they ever absorbed mainstream plainly distrusts. definitive charters also continuing full-steam: instalments Charters Julia Crick (ed.), St Albans (OUP, £45) S. E. Kelly Bath Wells £50), Episcopal Acta Mary Cheney, Smith, Christopher Brooke, Philippa Hoskin (eds), Worcester, 1062–1185 £45). ecclesiastical B. R. Kemp, ‘Archidiaconal vice-archidiaconal acta: additions corrections’ Research, 80), prints sixteen documents discovered since Canterbury & Soc. 2001. Emilie Amt Church Dialogus de scaccario (The dialogue exchequer) Constitutio domus regis disposition royal household) £85) existing (published 1902 1950) texts twelfth century our understanding growth bureaucratic government Bayeux Tapestry continues attract attention reinterpretation, often scholars expertise disciplines such art history. Gale Owen-Crocker, ‘Reading eyes’, Simon Keynes P. Smyth Anglo-Saxons: Cyril Roy Hart (Four Courts £55) interesting looking at conventional artistic motifs school illumination appear embroidered margins Tapestry. out resonances artists, able make suggestions meant when Janet Burton foundation abbeys Byland Jervaulx (Borthwick Institute, £15) account origins Savignac (soon Cistercian) houses Yorkshire. surveys Interest centres biography. Several contributions made Harper-Bill Nicholas Vincent Henry II: interpretations £55), those Henry's court (drawing forthcoming acta), Ian Short vernacular culture, Martin Aurell courtly King Arthur, Anne Duggan Becket controversy, Paul Brand developments law, Jean Dunbabin Gillingham aspects relations France, Edmund events dying days Stephen's reign, Nick Barratt revenues, Allen coinage, Matthew Strickland eldest son, Young King. Flori's French biography Richard Lionheart, king knight appears Birrell (Edinburgh U.P., £75, pbk providing chronological treatment Richard's image relation chivalry. government, society earls Mercia: power England £60) most year's books topic, had enthusiastic reviews sides. acquisition exercise Mercia eleventh century, makes major contribution aristocratic society. Baxter differs (see above, Sources) points offers cogent nature earldoms, landed wealth, over smaller landowners, strengths limitations authority. Also contributing culture Charles Insley, ‘Assemblies England’, Barnwell Marco Mostert Political assemblies earlier Middle Ages (Brepols, 2003, Insley shows certain features tenth-century charters, claims rule apologies misdeeds, conveyed messages. Robin Fleming, ‘Acquiring, flaunting destroying silk (Early Europe, 15) belongs section, too, ideological politicized meaning acquired wore remarkably rich wide-ranging article addresses economic way, deep historians learn using archaeological thinking material culture. Some practicalities illuminated Church, ‘Some itinerary century’ (13th-Century 11); Mark Hagger, ‘A Pipe Roll 25 I’ [a short extract fourteenth-century proves Rolls began earliest surviving one, 31 I]; Karn, ‘Nigel, bishop Ely, restoration exchequer after “anarchy” reign’ 80) [the chronology understood examining careers officials involved]. George Garnett, Conquered kingship, succession, tenure, 1066–1166 £65) learned, original, provocative rupture 1066 consequences following century. Garnett homage done personally element state society, profound disturbing Early reaction suggests hornet's nest stirred way Garnett's thesis undercuts prevailing ideas continuity Conquest. Narrower law variously subjects Andrew Rabin, ‘Old forespeca role advocate law’ (Med. Studs, 69); Scott Thompson ‘Of cattle thieves: rhetorical work Fonthill Letter’ Germanic Philology, 106) property dispute where local national intersected]; Fordham, ‘Peacekeeping order Anglo-Welsh frontier tenth (Midland 32) ‘Ordinance concerning Dunsæte’ seen representative Old state's involvement settlement along borders]. family gender Stacy Klein, Ruling women: queenship literature (Notre Dame £19.95) adds period, because time gives systematic expert queens were represented Pauline Stafford, ‘Chronicle D, 1067 gendering conquest Anglo-Saxons prominence women crucial annal Chronicle. representation there means chronicler comment events. collection Stafford's previously published essays, Gender, legitimation power: ninth (Ashgate Variorum, prefaced main themes conclusions work. Kirsten A. Fenton, ‘Ideas ideals masculinity Malmesbury’ (Women's Hist. R., 16) Malmesbury thought restraint key ideal male behaviour. identities Despite paid Englishness still space fresh (but too brief) look name country: T. Beech, ‘The naming Oct. 2007) ‘Engla land’ (the country) replaced ‘Angelcynn’ people) 1014–35. implications up. identity Welsh within concern articles N. J. Higham Britons (which otherwise focus): C. Lewis, ‘Welsh territories Thornton, Welshmen beyond: century’. Regional identities, before Baxter's Government), covered Lawrence-Mathers, ‘William Newburgh Northumbrian construction history’ Food language choice post-Conquest provided Kathryn Lowe, ‘Post-Conquest bilingual composition memoranda Bury Edmunds’ (R. 59): types document English, could explored. attitudes death dead perhaps best come aspect identities. Christina Lee, Feasting dead: food drink burial rituals tries sense both sources. Her argument practices traditions mortuary feasting evident archaeology pagan continued right into centuries. L. Buckberry Hadley, ‘An execution cemetery Walkington Wold, Yorkshire’ (Oxford Archaeology, 26) report full technicalities, usefully sums we know cemeteries illustrate. Beliefs world humanity touched rather dense technical study Alaric Hall, Elves matters belief, health, £45), Britt Mize, mind enclosure poetry’ (Anglo-Saxon 35, 2006). K. Foys, unfinished mappa mundi late-eleventh-century Worcester’ 2006) argues hitherto unrecognized tradition maps world, own place settlement, landscape, economy common-field systems something revival years. thoughtful perspective Sue Oosthuizen, Landscapes decoded: development Cambridgeshire's fields (Hertfordshire £14.99). Careful leads suggest particular system originated Mercian dominance Vikings, running contrary orthodox dated 900. Another (from part Peter Herring, ‘Medieval Brown Willy, Bodmin Moor’, Sam Turner Devon Cornwall: shaping ancient countryside (Windgather £19.99), identifies four phases marginal moorland hamlet three hundred 1275. explained Somerset examples fragmentation large land-units parish-sized during read interested other regions models development: F. Thorn, ‘Shapwick, “Polden estate”’ (Somerset Archaeology Natural 151) Mick Aston Costen, secular estate: parish Winscombe north Somerset’ (ibid.). Thorn's demonstration squeezed close test-pitting villages Carenza ‘New avenues investigation currently occupied rural settlement: preliminary observations Higher Education Field Academy’ 51). From issue onwards, added usual mass reports fieldwork (often enough, frankly, intrinsic interest) section extended ‘fieldwork highlights', reporting significant greater length. Among topography level would single Everson Stocker, ‘Little Sturton rediscovered, 1: grange Kirkstead abbey’ (Lincolnshire 40, 2005) Bourne, ‘Flaxton: layout original planned settlement’ (Yorkshire J., 78, For stimulating research, ring-fenced farms, see Ros Faith, ‘Worthys enclosures’ Settlement Research Group Annual Report, 21, Yet another castellologist overview castle studies: Sarah Speight, ‘British 20th 21st centuries’ 2, 2004). Daniel Étienne, ‘Les châteaux Guillaume fils Osbern dans le sud des marches galloises’ (Annales Normandie, 56, needed conspectus, responding castles individually forward scholars. empirical data individual excavations ago 1960s 1970s) Austin, Acts perception: Barnard Castle Teesdale (2 vols, Architectural Durham Northumberland, Saunders, Excavations Launceston castle, Cornwall (Soc. Probably wider integration fieldwork, documentary gleaned thirteenth Barnwell, Peak castle: cultural contexts changing perceptions’ Association, 160). economy, 950–1250 brilliantly completely Blair Waterways canal-building £55). avowedly preliminary, focus periods (inevitably, evidence), collection, brings together historians, archaeologists, specialists, coherent exciting account. trade, regional difference, Overdue mention James Campbell, ‘Domesday herrings’, Harper-Bill, Carole Rawcliffe, G. Wilson East Anglia's history: honour Scarfe 2002, modest title conceals history, population Anglia sustained small holdings vast herring fishery, itself required industrial-scale salt production (to preserve fish) ‘open-cast peat mines’ formed Broads salt). religion Belief lie heart engrossing book, Watkins, History supernatural (CUP, Using historical writings 1300), Watkins explores ‘Thinking supernatural’, ‘Inventing pagans’, ‘Prayers, spells saints’, ‘Special powers magical arts’, ‘Imagining dead’, supernatural’. Throughout boundary between beliefs acceptable Christian context not. Astonishingly, Frances Giandrea, specifically functions 900–1066. author begins wrong follow condemnatory judgements detractors post-Conquest, post-Gregorian Separate chapters then treat roles servants, heads cathedrals, supervisors pastoral care dioceses, finally function synthesizes deal distinctive convincing physical mental worlds bishops. archbishops Canterbury's cultural, religious, financial exchanges Steven Vanderputten, ‘Canterbury Flanders 2006), edits, translates, discusses group letters sent Flemish abbots. Staunton, Thomas biographers masterly story archbishop's extraordinary life shocking shaped ten almost contemporary biographies. Norton, (York corpus biographies twelfth-century (he archbishop 1141–7 1153–4), especially adept architectural patronage. monastic scrutinized Julie Kerr, Monastic hospitality: Benedictines c. 1070–c. 1250 rounded study, covers practical details hospitality, organized for, spiritual aspects. See same ‘ “Welcome coming speed parting guest”: hospitality Emilia Jamroziak, Rievaulx social context, 1132–1300: memory, locality, networks 2005, €60) places setting patrons, benefactors, neighbours. Judith Frost, Nostell priory, 1109–1153 Paper 111) pamphlet length substantial reassessment lives nuns Katherine O'Brien O'Keeffe, ‘Goscelin consecration Eve’ Drout, How works: meme-based poetics (Arizona Center Renaissance £38) hard going premise fascinating: Benedictine Reform's emphasis memorization repetition liturgical formulae spilled wills wisdom literature. Those saints' cults dedications churches established) get stimulus Graham Jones, Saints Landscape (Tempus, £16.99) despite lack explicit development. huge amount cults, leading monographs. Virginia Blanton, Signs devotion: Æthelthryth 695–1615 (Pennsylvania State £44.50) female saints, patroness Ely (a bishopric century). Susan Wilson, after-life Beverley: evolution saint (Ashgate, likewise Ages. Christine Walsh, Alexandria Europe includes chapter spread Other publications include Heather Edwards, Middleham Giggleswick’ 76, 2004) [St Alchhild; appendix known saints]; Black, ‘Tradition transformation St. Guthlac (Heroic Age, 10) [Guthlac evolving ascetic solitary defender wealthy monastery]; Tom Licence, Life Miracles Godric Throckenholt’ (Analecta Bollandiana, 124, [edition rediscovered century]; McCulloh, ‘Unofficial elements Norwich’ (Hagiographica, 13, [showing official boy-saint supposed victim ritual murder Jews interacted unofficial interest]. devotion cross (their word ‘rood’) lies big straddles disciplinary boundaries challenging Éamonn Ó Carragáin, Ritual rood: images poems Dream rood Library, considers pre-Viking stone crosses Ruthwell Bewcastle, poem preserved Vercelli poetry, treasure Brussels reliquary cross. Carragáin's high-powered controversial, alongside reviews, O'Donnell Heroic 9 (Oct. crosses, Patrick W. Conner, monument runic context’ 59) revision. Samuel Fanous Henrietta Leyser Markyate: holy woman (Routledge, £55, £18.99) richly interdisciplinary life. ‘Evidence recluses 36) ‘reclusion’ phenomenon mid influenced Continent. Most Carver goes north: processes conversion northern AD 300–1300 2003; £25) worth Philip Rahtz Lorna Watts, ‘Three ages Kirkdale, North discussion sundial) Turner, ‘Making landscape: Cornwall’ (for 1070). preaching homilies discussed literary scholars, insights Aaron Kleist homily: precedent, practice, appropriation €90). significance pre-Conquest fully appreciated historians: subject Richards, Aidan Conti, Swan. architecture Draper, formation Gothic: (Yale $80) fine indeed, integrates buildings considerations. careful exposition form related patrons Jackie ‘Croxden church: architecture, patronage’ conference transactions Association always interest. Mike McCarthy Weston Carlisle Cumbria: Roman (Maney, 2004, £48, £32) Jill Franklin's review Augustinian canons cathedral, Plant Romanesque cathedral church, Malcolm Thurlby widely diocese, Goodall tower Summerson's city Tim Ayers Tatton-Brown art, Rochester £65, £24.50) Brooks's summary 1066, topography, Jane Geddes remarkable door, Halsey nave, Draper Gothic east end, Jeremy Ashbee castle. latest Association's
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