<i>Runes: an introduction</i> (review)
Margaret Clunies Ross
136 Reviews reviewer of a good book which should be read to say. The authors' revisions are qualified but not invalidated by the circumstance that almost all disputes considered were about land and involved Church. Overall, early medieval European law society correcdy perceived as evolving something new suit conditions time rather than in terms Roman Germanic origins. With chapters on late fifth- sixth-century Gaul, later Merovingian Francia, Carolingian West ninth-century Brittany, Spain, Lombard-Carolingian Italy, tenth-century Byzantium, Anglo-Saxon England, Ireland (comparatively) dispute sixteenth-century Scotland, manages put into perspective complete breakdown public institutions post-Carolingian France, while pointing out immunities private justice need have made much difference procedures resolving disputes. There is great deal said literacy. Its presence at level pagus or parish eastern Brittany one several surprises from Cartulary Redon data being worked Wendy Davies what will classic case study. One cannot help reflecting this area would come literate father Peter Abelard. For an medievalist there also else interest many detaded examples setdement quoted length. Germane view multicultural with fluid sense identity multitude personal names say cultural influence ethnic affiliation very litde, suspects, actual family And, if considers weakly defined ambiguous authorities, following social analysis Mary Douglas (anthropological views cited hers), finer illustration can opening passage seventh-century formula p. 20: 'What luck! happiness appropriate agreement, teaches, custom consents power ruler does prohibit'! Lynette Olson Department History University Sydney Elliott, R. W. V., Runes: introduction, 2nd ed., Manchester, Manchester Press N e w York, St. Martin's Press, 1989; pp. xiv, 151; 2 text-figures, maps, 26 plates, 5 tables; P. £25.00. This second, enlarged edition general introduction fascinating subject runes: special alphabet used Middle Ages most societies spoke languages. book'sfirstedition appeared 1959. Since time, has been growing among 137 runes subjects generally related directiy popularity fantasy genres occultism flavour. twentieth-century person well predict future stars. Elliott's addresses itself kind reader who interested nature uses they present. H few words second such 'rune-master' (p. 20) acquired meanings twentieth century literature. His only two English (the other compact 1987 British Museum handbook, Runes, I. Page) offer comprehensive overview runology. It thus serves useful purpose. first concentrated more Scandinavian runes. However, majority runic inscriptions Scandinavia and, since Page produced An Introduction Runes 1973, Elliott sensibly increased his coverage material edition. makes valuable for otherwise find access recent research discoveries difficult it readable careful runology generally, making corpora accessible undergraduate students. edition...
Parergon