Description
Book Synopsis -
The Idea of Anglo Saxon England, 1066-1901 presents the first systematic review of the ways in which Anglo-Saxon studies have evolved from their beginnings to the twentieth century
- Tells the story of how the idea of Anglo-Saxon England evolved from the Anglo-Saxons themselves to the Victorians, serving as a myth of origins for the English people, their language, and some of their most cherished institutions
- Combines original research with established scholarship to reveal how current conceptions of English identity might be very different if it were not for the discovery and invention of the Anglo-Saxon past
- Reveals how documents dating from the Anglo-Saxon era have greatly influenced modern attitudes toward nationhood, race, religious practice, and constitutional liberties
- Includes more than fifty images of manuscripts, early printed books, paintings, sculptures, and major historians of the era
Trade ReviewOne of the highlights of The Idea of Anglo-Saxon England is its well-written, entertaining style. Throughout, Niles displays a keen eye for detail, often highlighting anecdotal, amusing and occasionally shocking facts. - Thijs Porck, 2016. Review AMSTERDAMER BEITRAGE ZUR ALTEREN GERMANISTIK.
Table of ContentsList of Vignettes vi
Preface and Acknowledgements vii
Abbreviations xiii
List of Figures xv
1 The Impact of the Norman Conquest 1
2 The Discovery of Anglo‐Saxon England in Tudor Times 49
3 British Antiquaries and the Anglo‐Saxon Past 77
4 The Founding of a Discipline 1600–1700 109
5 A Period of Consolidation 1700–1800 147
6 The Romantics and the Discovery of Old English Verse 186
7 The Triumph of Philology 220
8 Old English Studies in North America 265
9 Anglo‐Saxon England and the Empire 302
Afterword 378
Some Landmark Publications 381
Works Cited 395
Index 415
