Some Notations on Mr. Hollister's “Irony”
Fredric L. Cheyette
For several years C. Warren Hollister has been picking his way through the “treacherous bog” of Anglo-Saxon and early Anglo-Norman military institutions. Out that bog he brought medievalists fresh knowledge nature fyrd , relation -service to knight's service, importance before after 1066 mercenary troops, name only a few questions touched on. As result work, in fact (along with Eric John Michael Powicke), Berkshire customal Domesday Book threatens become as written about final clauses Statute York. But inevitably presentday medievalist decides emerge from dusty inquests cartularies, step boldly out behind philological barricade survey surrounding landscape, extract more laconic charters than plausible conclusions some minor issues. Old-fashioned self-inhumation details local antiquities is no longer for him, nor Bury's sanguine belief if each historian adds little stone dry wall History, future age may finally be able see its shape. Thus historian's growing concern generalizations. especially recent debates proper definition delimitation “feudalism.” Hollister, ducking general issue “feudalism” Military Institutions recently on these pages decided attack it head
Journal of British Studies