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Early Medieval Studies in Memory of Patrick Wormald
Patrick Wormald was a brilliant interpreter of the Early Middle Ages, whose teaching, writings and generous friendship inspired a generation of historians and students of politics, law, language, literature and religion to focus their attention upon the world of the Anglo-Saxons and the Franks. Leading British, American and continental scholars - his colleagues, friends and pupils - here bear witness to his seminal influence by presenting a collection of studies devoted to the key themes that dominated his kingship; law and society; ethnic, religious, national and linguistic identities; the power of images, pictorial or poetic, in shaping political and religious institutions. Closely mirroring the interests of their honorand, the collection not only underlines Patrick Wormald's enormous contribution to the field of Anglo-Saxon studies, but graphically demonstrates his belief that early medieval England and Anglo-Saxon law could only be understood against a background of research into contemporary developments in the nearby Welsh, Scottish, Irish and Frankish kingdoms. He would have been well pleased, therefore, that this volume should make such significant advances in our understanding of the world of Bede, of the dynasty of King Alfred, and also of the workings of English law between the seventh and the twelfth century. Moreover he would have been particularly delighted at the rich comparisons and contrasts with Celtic societies offered here and with the series of fundamental reassessments of aspects of Carolingian Francia. Above all these studies present fundamental reinterpretations, not only of published written sources and their underlying manuscript evidence, but also of the development of some of the dominant ideas of that era. In both their scope and the quality of the scholarship, the collection stands as a fitting tribute to the work and life of Patrick Wormald and his lasting contribution to early medieval studies.
952 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2009
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September 1, 2021
Early Medieval Studies in memory of Patrick Wormald, Baxter, Karkov, Nelson and Pelteret (Eds), 2017, 582 pages all in
This is a substantial book and it covers a wide range of topics. A very wide range. Sadly not all of them were of interest to me and I feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I only read the ones that were on topics that engaged me.
Part One – Patrick Wormald
The writings of Patrick Wormald, S Foot
Patrick Wormald as historian, S Foot
Patrick Wormald the teacher, S Airlie
Living with Patrick Wormald, J Wormald
Part Two – Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Foundations
Archipelagic thoughts: comparing early medieval polities in Britain and Ireland, J Campbell
A well written and expansive paper that made a number of extremely interesting points. For example, in the case of Imma and the Frisian slave trader, was he present with the Mercian army in the expectation of buying slaves and if so was this normal practice? Another is the inference of a possible estate centre, maybe a royal vill, in Sussex, from the concentration of slaves there for Wilfrid to frr. Although in contrast to Campbell, I'm not too sure about any significance that could be attached to the 30,000 hides attested for Mercia in the Tribal Hidage and the 30 Duces that served under Penda.
Celtic Kings: 'Priestly Vegetables'? TM Charles-Edwards
With occasional references to Anglo-Saxon England, this paper mostly focussed upon Ireland. It's obvious that there is a lot to digest in this one, but as it is well out of any area that I have knowledge of, I wasn't in a position to run with it. I need to learn to walk first.
The Bretwaldas and the origins of overlordship in Anglo-Saxon England, B Yorke
This was a joy to read. Yorke made any number of acute observations regarding Bede's list. She went into what the entrants had in common, who didn't make the cut and what we can learn from it about the problematic term. It's essential reading on the topic. In addition to this, the influence of both the Franks and the northern British and Irish kings upon the development of Anglo-Saxon kingship amongst their neighbours is looked at. AND if that wasn't enough, Yorke brings out the sense of The North as being very separate to the southern kingdoms, showing just how little the Northumbrians and those down south were joined outside of the Bretwalda years and even with this, only for some of them.
Royal and ecclesiastical law in seventh century Kent, L Oliver
This is quite narrow in scope, but I liked that, as it really gives you something to get your teeth into it. In this instance it concerns the religious aspects of Wihtred's law code. Oliver demonstrates just how much religious considerations permeate his code, taking a harder line on religious infractions than the contemporary penitential of Theodore. It's the first code to offer a reward for those who informed on people who worked on the Sabbath.
Part Three – Gregory and Bede
Divine justice in Gregory the Great's dialogues, D Johnson
I gave this one a whirl, but found it wasn't for me. Not enough on Anglo-Saxon England for me to want to invest time in reading it.
Bede, the Britons and the book of Samuel, A Thacker
This took a very different line to McLure's paper on Bede's Biblical Kings. The first part dealt with Bede's attitude to the Britons, which took Thacker, via Bede's use of the word perfidi, to his commentary on Samuel. Thacker then linked these writings to the events surrounding the demise of King Osred, suggesting that Bede's comments were made with this very much in mind. Whilst this is speculative, there was lots of very interesting evidence adduced. And as a bonus, I finished it just in time to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark on telly.
Bede and Benedict of Nursia, S DeGregorio
This looked for the influence of Benedict of Nursia in Bede's writings. Not really my cup of tea.
After Bede: continuing the Ecclesiastical History, J Story
This wasn't what I was really expecting. I thought it would be about the Northern Annals, but instead it was mostly an history of the later entries into Bede's EH, concerning when and where. This was all ok in itself, but nothing that I was that invested in. What I did like, though, was the snippets of Northern history that did get a mention and the links brought out from them by Story.
Chosen Arrows, first hidden, then revealed: The visitation-archer sequence as a key to the unity of the Ruthwell Cross, E O'Carragain
The Ruthwell Cross looks magnificent. However, 20 pages about the probable meaning of part of it, is a bit steep to read.
Part Four – Carolingian authority and learning
Alcuin, Charlemagne and the problem of sanctions, H Mayr-Harting
This was well written and not what I was expecting. I rather assumed it would be about trading sanctions following Offa and Charlemagne's little upset. Instead the sanctions were upon recalcitrant nobles who were slow in following his orders.
For it is written in the law: ansegis and the writing of Carolingian royal authority, S Airlie
Kings, clergy and dogma: the settlement of doctrinal disputes in the Carolingian world, T Noble
Charlemagne's Missi and their books, R McKitterick
Charlemagne's daughters, A Scharer
Hrabanus Maurus in Anglo-Saxon England, In honorem sanctae crucis, W Schipper
Part Five – English politics and law (9th - 12th centuries)
The Fonthill Letter, Ealdorman Ordlaf and Anglo-Saxon law in practice, N Brooks
This was a smashing paper. It begins with a new and full translation of this famous letter. Brooks then goes on to show some of the more interesting elements. He demonstrates that Ealdorman Ordlaf is of Wiltshire by cross referencing S1284, which is an independent account of the exchange of lands at Fonthill and Lydiard. Beyond this, Brooks shows that Ordlaf ran some risks in supporting Helmstan, as it would have left him potentially vulnerable if he had lost Edward the Elder's favour.
An anonymous historian of Edward the Elder's reign, D Pelteret
An absolutely lovely bit of academic detective work, where Pelteret demonstrates that the entries in the A version of the ASC between 912-20 were written by the same person. This is shown through similarity of repeated words and phrases, interests and what is ignored (religious news). He then goes on to suggest that the youngest son of Alfred, Æthelweard was the mysterious man with the typewriter. This was a well argued and persuasive paper.
Reform and retribution: the 'anti-monastic reaction' in the reign of Edward the Martyr, S Jayakumar
Another cracking paper. This one looked at the people behind the anti-monastic reaction, showing that it wasn't just magnates, but it also came at a grass root level with thegns and others making claims – sometimes opportunistic. Jayakumar further demonstrates that the disturbances in the force continued longer than are commonly thought, but that it was not in the interests of chroniclers during Æthelræd's reign to do anything other than suggest that they were confined to that of his predecessor.
Donne se cirlisca man ordales weddigeth: the Anglo-Saxon lay ordeal, S Larratt Keefer
This was a good paper that went into some of the mechanics of the judicial ordeal. SLK discusses how some of the key bits of liturgy used in the later cases were in the vernacular with an eye to securing a confession prior to people undergoing the ordeal. Whilst I enjoyed it, I thought that Helen Foxhall-Forbes treatment of ordeal was more thorough.
Trial by ordeal in Anglo-Saxon England: what's the problem with barley? J Niles
This made a splendid companion to the previous paper, concentrating on barley and cheese as a form of ordeal open only to priests. Niles gave the authority upon which it was based, looked into the relevance of barley and cheese and also how palatable it would be. The biggest worry to anyone partaking in this was possibly the threat of excommunication and damnation, which tied in to SLK's suggestion that confession was probably a more desirable solution that the actual decision coming via ordeal.
Lordship and justice in late Anglo-Saxon England: the judicial functions of soke and commendation revisited, S Baxter
A fascinating paper that concentrates on commendation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Bishop Wulfstan of Worcester managing to play Domesday to his advantage. Sgt Bilko, Arthur Daley and Rodger the Dodger could have learned a lot from him. As well as some extremely useful diagrams and tables, Baxter very clearly laid out what commendation was all about. This paper is solid gold for anyone interested in the workings of late lordship.
The making of English law and the varieties of legal history, J Hudson
This paper critiqued Wormald's critique of Maitland, but coming at it from the perspective of a legal historian, but with extra references to the Angevins.
Liturgy or law: misconceived alternatives? J Nelson
This was a missed opportunity. After the brilliance of her book on Charlemagne I was expecting a lot from this and instead I found it to be quite meandering. Rather than a paper for all to enjoy, it seemed to be something perhaps better suited for members of the same faculty.
Part Six – Church, Cult and memory in England
King Æthelræd's charter for Eynsham Abbey 1005, S Keynes
This is a true belter of a paper. It's an example (with lavish footnotes) of how to take one charter and wring as much from it as is possible. It was a joy to read and to admire not only the conclusions, but also the art involved in doing so. There is simply so much to admire in this.
Si litterali memorie commendaretur: memories and cartularies in 11th century Worcester, F Tinti
This paper showed ways in which memories of ownership could be preserved. It was ok, but not hugely engaging to read. Although the appendix was fully translated, the Latin within the main body wasn't, which locked me out of any that was quoted.
Emma's Greek Scrine, L Jones
This wasn't a bad read. Jones examined the gift of a Greek reliquary to New Minster by Emma, suggesting that amongst other things, it was donated soon after the death of Cnut.
Emma: image and ideology, C Karkov
This paper nicely dovetailed with that of Jones above. It looked at the iconography of female power.
The bishop's book: Leofric's homiliary and 11th century Exeter, E Treharne
This one wasn't really for me; however, as with any topic, if you like it, then you'll really appreciate a full paper on it.
The dangerous dead in early medieval England, J Blair
This was a paper that was not only fascinating in content, but also made an engrossing read. It opens with a story from Anglo-Saxon England that would have made a cracking Ghost Story for Christmas. Who needs M.R. James with corpses carrying their own coffins through a village in Derbyshire? At least until their graves were opened and the bodies decapitated with their hearts being torn out and taken to a meeting point of parish boundaries and burnt – a judicial aspect not lost on Blair.
This is a substantial book and it covers a wide range of topics. A very wide range. Sadly not all of them were of interest to me and I feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I only read the ones that were on topics that engaged me.
Part One – Patrick Wormald
The writings of Patrick Wormald, S Foot
Patrick Wormald as historian, S Foot
Patrick Wormald the teacher, S Airlie
Living with Patrick Wormald, J Wormald
Part Two – Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Foundations
Archipelagic thoughts: comparing early medieval polities in Britain and Ireland, J Campbell
A well written and expansive paper that made a number of extremely interesting points. For example, in the case of Imma and the Frisian slave trader, was he present with the Mercian army in the expectation of buying slaves and if so was this normal practice? Another is the inference of a possible estate centre, maybe a royal vill, in Sussex, from the concentration of slaves there for Wilfrid to frr. Although in contrast to Campbell, I'm not too sure about any significance that could be attached to the 30,000 hides attested for Mercia in the Tribal Hidage and the 30 Duces that served under Penda.
Celtic Kings: 'Priestly Vegetables'? TM Charles-Edwards
With occasional references to Anglo-Saxon England, this paper mostly focussed upon Ireland. It's obvious that there is a lot to digest in this one, but as it is well out of any area that I have knowledge of, I wasn't in a position to run with it. I need to learn to walk first.
The Bretwaldas and the origins of overlordship in Anglo-Saxon England, B Yorke
This was a joy to read. Yorke made any number of acute observations regarding Bede's list. She went into what the entrants had in common, who didn't make the cut and what we can learn from it about the problematic term. It's essential reading on the topic. In addition to this, the influence of both the Franks and the northern British and Irish kings upon the development of Anglo-Saxon kingship amongst their neighbours is looked at. AND if that wasn't enough, Yorke brings out the sense of The North as being very separate to the southern kingdoms, showing just how little the Northumbrians and those down south were joined outside of the Bretwalda years and even with this, only for some of them.
Royal and ecclesiastical law in seventh century Kent, L Oliver
This is quite narrow in scope, but I liked that, as it really gives you something to get your teeth into it. In this instance it concerns the religious aspects of Wihtred's law code. Oliver demonstrates just how much religious considerations permeate his code, taking a harder line on religious infractions than the contemporary penitential of Theodore. It's the first code to offer a reward for those who informed on people who worked on the Sabbath.
Part Three – Gregory and Bede
Divine justice in Gregory the Great's dialogues, D Johnson
I gave this one a whirl, but found it wasn't for me. Not enough on Anglo-Saxon England for me to want to invest time in reading it.
Bede, the Britons and the book of Samuel, A Thacker
This took a very different line to McLure's paper on Bede's Biblical Kings. The first part dealt with Bede's attitude to the Britons, which took Thacker, via Bede's use of the word perfidi, to his commentary on Samuel. Thacker then linked these writings to the events surrounding the demise of King Osred, suggesting that Bede's comments were made with this very much in mind. Whilst this is speculative, there was lots of very interesting evidence adduced. And as a bonus, I finished it just in time to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark on telly.
Bede and Benedict of Nursia, S DeGregorio
This looked for the influence of Benedict of Nursia in Bede's writings. Not really my cup of tea.
After Bede: continuing the Ecclesiastical History, J Story
This wasn't what I was really expecting. I thought it would be about the Northern Annals, but instead it was mostly an history of the later entries into Bede's EH, concerning when and where. This was all ok in itself, but nothing that I was that invested in. What I did like, though, was the snippets of Northern history that did get a mention and the links brought out from them by Story.
Chosen Arrows, first hidden, then revealed: The visitation-archer sequence as a key to the unity of the Ruthwell Cross, E O'Carragain
The Ruthwell Cross looks magnificent. However, 20 pages about the probable meaning of part of it, is a bit steep to read.
Part Four – Carolingian authority and learning
Alcuin, Charlemagne and the problem of sanctions, H Mayr-Harting
This was well written and not what I was expecting. I rather assumed it would be about trading sanctions following Offa and Charlemagne's little upset. Instead the sanctions were upon recalcitrant nobles who were slow in following his orders.
For it is written in the law: ansegis and the writing of Carolingian royal authority, S Airlie
Kings, clergy and dogma: the settlement of doctrinal disputes in the Carolingian world, T Noble
Charlemagne's Missi and their books, R McKitterick
Charlemagne's daughters, A Scharer
Hrabanus Maurus in Anglo-Saxon England, In honorem sanctae crucis, W Schipper
Part Five – English politics and law (9th - 12th centuries)
The Fonthill Letter, Ealdorman Ordlaf and Anglo-Saxon law in practice, N Brooks
This was a smashing paper. It begins with a new and full translation of this famous letter. Brooks then goes on to show some of the more interesting elements. He demonstrates that Ealdorman Ordlaf is of Wiltshire by cross referencing S1284, which is an independent account of the exchange of lands at Fonthill and Lydiard. Beyond this, Brooks shows that Ordlaf ran some risks in supporting Helmstan, as it would have left him potentially vulnerable if he had lost Edward the Elder's favour.
An anonymous historian of Edward the Elder's reign, D Pelteret
An absolutely lovely bit of academic detective work, where Pelteret demonstrates that the entries in the A version of the ASC between 912-20 were written by the same person. This is shown through similarity of repeated words and phrases, interests and what is ignored (religious news). He then goes on to suggest that the youngest son of Alfred, Æthelweard was the mysterious man with the typewriter. This was a well argued and persuasive paper.
Reform and retribution: the 'anti-monastic reaction' in the reign of Edward the Martyr, S Jayakumar
Another cracking paper. This one looked at the people behind the anti-monastic reaction, showing that it wasn't just magnates, but it also came at a grass root level with thegns and others making claims – sometimes opportunistic. Jayakumar further demonstrates that the disturbances in the force continued longer than are commonly thought, but that it was not in the interests of chroniclers during Æthelræd's reign to do anything other than suggest that they were confined to that of his predecessor.
Donne se cirlisca man ordales weddigeth: the Anglo-Saxon lay ordeal, S Larratt Keefer
This was a good paper that went into some of the mechanics of the judicial ordeal. SLK discusses how some of the key bits of liturgy used in the later cases were in the vernacular with an eye to securing a confession prior to people undergoing the ordeal. Whilst I enjoyed it, I thought that Helen Foxhall-Forbes treatment of ordeal was more thorough.
Trial by ordeal in Anglo-Saxon England: what's the problem with barley? J Niles
This made a splendid companion to the previous paper, concentrating on barley and cheese as a form of ordeal open only to priests. Niles gave the authority upon which it was based, looked into the relevance of barley and cheese and also how palatable it would be. The biggest worry to anyone partaking in this was possibly the threat of excommunication and damnation, which tied in to SLK's suggestion that confession was probably a more desirable solution that the actual decision coming via ordeal.
Lordship and justice in late Anglo-Saxon England: the judicial functions of soke and commendation revisited, S Baxter
A fascinating paper that concentrates on commendation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Bishop Wulfstan of Worcester managing to play Domesday to his advantage. Sgt Bilko, Arthur Daley and Rodger the Dodger could have learned a lot from him. As well as some extremely useful diagrams and tables, Baxter very clearly laid out what commendation was all about. This paper is solid gold for anyone interested in the workings of late lordship.
The making of English law and the varieties of legal history, J Hudson
This paper critiqued Wormald's critique of Maitland, but coming at it from the perspective of a legal historian, but with extra references to the Angevins.
Liturgy or law: misconceived alternatives? J Nelson
This was a missed opportunity. After the brilliance of her book on Charlemagne I was expecting a lot from this and instead I found it to be quite meandering. Rather than a paper for all to enjoy, it seemed to be something perhaps better suited for members of the same faculty.
Part Six – Church, Cult and memory in England
King Æthelræd's charter for Eynsham Abbey 1005, S Keynes
This is a true belter of a paper. It's an example (with lavish footnotes) of how to take one charter and wring as much from it as is possible. It was a joy to read and to admire not only the conclusions, but also the art involved in doing so. There is simply so much to admire in this.
Si litterali memorie commendaretur: memories and cartularies in 11th century Worcester, F Tinti
This paper showed ways in which memories of ownership could be preserved. It was ok, but not hugely engaging to read. Although the appendix was fully translated, the Latin within the main body wasn't, which locked me out of any that was quoted.
Emma's Greek Scrine, L Jones
This wasn't a bad read. Jones examined the gift of a Greek reliquary to New Minster by Emma, suggesting that amongst other things, it was donated soon after the death of Cnut.
Emma: image and ideology, C Karkov
This paper nicely dovetailed with that of Jones above. It looked at the iconography of female power.
The bishop's book: Leofric's homiliary and 11th century Exeter, E Treharne
This one wasn't really for me; however, as with any topic, if you like it, then you'll really appreciate a full paper on it.
The dangerous dead in early medieval England, J Blair
This was a paper that was not only fascinating in content, but also made an engrossing read. It opens with a story from Anglo-Saxon England that would have made a cracking Ghost Story for Christmas. Who needs M.R. James with corpses carrying their own coffins through a village in Derbyshire? At least until their graves were opened and the bodies decapitated with their hearts being torn out and taken to a meeting point of parish boundaries and burnt – a judicial aspect not lost on Blair.
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