Anglo-Saxonists, Æthelred II and a Rolling Millennium—1978–2014, and Beyond
Ryan Lavelle
Click to increase image sizeClick decrease size AcknowledgementI am grateful the editors for invitation contribute this introduction volume.Notes1Yorke, Millenary Celebrations. See Stevenson redating of Anglo-Saxon Chronicle's record death Alfred from 901 correct date 899; as Barbara Yorke notes (Millenary Celebrations, 3) failed stop party in Winchester 1901.2Patrick Wormald (“Archbishop Wulfstan,” 11) commented on impossibility a (non-millenary) anniversary conference Wulfstan prior 2002. Sarah Foot (1–2) reflection London Times 25 October 1940 circumstances that prevented millenary celebration (albeit wrongly dated) King Æthelstan (924–39).3Brownlie, 17. The Heritage Lottery Funding (Heritage Fund) “Funding Anniversaries” programme shines light public interest agenda driving commemoration. I Neil McDougall drawing my attention this.4Stenton, 373–94 (quotation at 394) and, Edgar (ironically chapter titled “The Decline Old English Monarchy,” which “decline” was all attributed Æthelred's reign), 364–72. also discussion Frank Merry Stenton's opinion Æthelred by Levi Roach present volume.5Hill, ed., Ethelred Unready. especially David Hill's own contribution volume, “Trends Development Towns.”6Stafford, “Reign II”; “Royal Government.”7However, cf. Keynes, Diplomas, xviii, commenting his personal 978–1978.8Simon Keynes (Diplomas, xvi, 205–6) puts reign context reputational decline Æthelred, first aired “Declining Reputation,” 1978 volume and developed Royal Historical Society lecture 1985, “A Tale Two Kings.” Courtnay Konshuh's reading Chronicle 2016 special issue Studies.9A key early collection, published 1930, is Ashdown, ed. Writing 1956, Peter Hunter Blair (93–5) provides an example way legendary Jómsborg fortress, recorded Norse saga, thought be directly tied then newly discovered Trelleborg fortresses Denmark.10See collections edited Scragg; Cooper.11Lavelle, Aethelred II; Alfred's Wars, 34–5, 113–14 117.12Jorgensen, “Trumpet Wolf.” her “Power, Poetry Violence” specifically addresses Maldon.13Although not local initiatives resulted publication, handful examples may noted: “Andover 994”; Eales Gameson; MacDonald.14For two millennial anniversaries religious houses, see Barker, ed.; Hinton, Hunt, eds.; it noted assessments political significance houses has been made possible British Academy's publication editions charters; Brooks.15Yorke, Bishop Æthelwold; Ramsay, Sparks, Tatton-Brown, Brooks Cubitt, eds. Catherine Cubitt reviews many themes arising these volumes “Tenth-Century Benedictine Reform.”16For example, Christopher A. Jones (76–7) manner Ælfric's perception time part continuing process reform renewal.17Fisher.18This observation Patrick (“Wulfstan”): “Wulfstan [Lupus] (d. 1023), Archbishop York Homilist.” For note Wulfstan's legislative significance, Liebermann, 31.19Wormald, “Archbishop 21.20A translated collection works, Andrew Rabin, released writing, likely add development scholarship future. Contrast with comment Henry Loyn (273) end piece Citation1978 less vernacular works Ælfric than might have expected time.21See, Meyer; Yorke, “Æthelwold Politics Tenth Century.”22Stafford, “Sons Mothers.” These followed issues explored Stafford, Government,” 126–68.23Stafford, Queen Emma Edith.24This benefits Charles Insley.25Levi invaluable continental perspective angst considered him “Emperor Otto III End Time.”26Lavelle, II, 97–101.27The lectures provided academics subject would difficult track down catalogue even now, but worth highlighting couple manifestations history, such line-up various specialisms 1000 AD, broadcast UK's Channel 4 31 January 1999. Ann Williams, who wrote biography, Unready, around same own, uses commemorative opportunity Year provide useful broad-brush view Britain “Portrait Britain: AD 1000,” though she says little about notion millennium apocalypse.28See, event Sabapathy.29These finds are discussed Pollard et al.; Bill; Loe Strætkvern.30Nelson. A comparison Louis Pious's “Penitential State” volume.31John Worcester, 476–7 (sub anno 1014).32William Malmesbury, 268–9 (ch. 164.1) king's apparent laziness, 272–3 (165.7).33Wormald, 22.
English Studies