IMS Open Lecture Series. Legendary History and the Land: Vernacular Chronicles in 15th-Century England

Prof. Raluca Radulescu (Professor of Medieval Literature and Co-Director of the Institute for Medieval & Early Modern Studies, Bangor University)

Date : 4th October 2016
Time : 6pm
Location : Parkinson Building: Room 1.08.

The historical and cultural context in which vernacular chronicles were written at the end of the Middle Ages in England and the Continent was complex. Among the numerous types of extant chronicles, the Middle English Brut chronicle tradition, with more than 180 extant manuscripts, predominantly from the fifteenth century, stands out as a ‘best seller’. The Brut chronicle inherits the narrative of Britain’s origins from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia regum Britanniae, and establishes, through its continuations up to fifteenth century, a seemingly uninterrupted line of succession for the kings of England from the foundation of the ‘nation’ by Brut, the great-grandson of Eneas. Versions of the Brut chronicle are found in abridged format, be they in Latin, French or English, in other types of chronicle, such as the genealogies. Through their diagrammatic design the genealogical chronicles provided their first audiences with powerful reminders of a particular interpretation of history, especially during the Wars of the Roses, when this type of chronicle was used, it is now believed, for political propaganda purposes.

However, the use of fifteenth-century genealogical chronicles, surviving in large numbers and in both roll and codex format, extended beyond immediate political aims. The genealogical chronicles, I argue, contributed to the creation of gentry, noble and royal family history, and shaped the imaginary of the ‘English nation’. Image-making and identity-making are thus crucial to our understanding of the cultural framework in which historical writing was produced in fifteenth-century England. My talk will address, among other, the following questions: How was the land perceived and presented in the late medieval English vernacular chronicles, particularly in the Brut and genealogies? How did the audiences of these chronicles interact with the codices and/or rolls containing these historical narratives – if at all? What gaps are there in our understanding of the function of these chronicles, and what work is still needed to fill them?

Raluca Radulescu is Professor of Medieval literature and co-director of the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Bangor University, Wales. She is also general editor of the Journal of the International Arthurian Society and President of the British Branch of the same society. She has published widely on Arthurian and non-Arthurian romance, gentry culture, fifteenth-century political culture, Brut and genealogical chronicles, and the medieval miscellany. Her most recent books are Romance and Its Contexts in Fifteenth-Century England: Politics, Piety and Penitence (Cambridge: D.S.Brewer, 2013) and, co-edited with Margaret Connolly, Insular Books: Vernacular Manuscript Miscellanies in Late Medieval Britain, British Academy vol. 201 (Oxford: Oxford University Press for the British Academy, 2015).

Fulford Battlefield

The latest analysis from the Fulford Battlefield dig:-

After sorting the Fulford finds, a clear picture emerged of iron items: they are in the flow of what we can now identify as the ancient course of Germany Beck. With a few exceptions  the iron was found in this restricted location and is focused in one layer. (There are some images of finds in the dig 2016 folder on the Fulford Battlefield website)

The ‘anvils’ are the exception to this rule. Wooden models of three of the items were identified by Scandinavian experts recently as likely tools used by metal-workers to planish the surface of sheet metal; so they could have been employed to remove dents from shield bosses and helmets. These items lie just above the stream bed.

The suggestion is that they arrived here attached to a block of wood into which they were driven in order to be used by the ancient armourers. This prevented their easy recovery and the rising tides in the days following the battle (all the recycling sites identified were beside the beck) floated away. The ‘anvils’ would have acted as a keel causing them to remain submerged and when found, the items all have their pointed end above the head, suggesting some buoyancy at the tip. The first two finds of the season were two further ‘anvils’ making a collection of 5. We also know these, and the finds from 2013-2015, were all along the ancient line of the beck which would account for the deposition of these finds.

The survival of metal within the stream is taken as support for the recycling hypothesis which suggests that the battlefield was thoroughly cleared of metal debris and only items that were submerged in the beck avoided the clearup. The identification in 2004 of so many metal working tools and now the identification of the ‘anvils’  leave little doubt that something dramatic happened to interrupt the work and the suggestion is that this was the destruction of the Norse army at Stamford Bridge.

With the exception of a few pieces of lead all the other items were iron and this itself is noteworthy since normal metal surveys produce a greater number of non-ferrous items. So the domination of iron in the sample is interesting but just what one might expect in a battle area.

Among the finds are an unusual number of intriguing objects that are currently awaiting xray. During the initial cleaning and find sorting, three tubular objects were found the likes of which have not been seen before and we also have what has been catalogued as a ‘long flat object’.

The work has also allowed us to refine the dating model for the layers:  The stone layer was stable from  pre-historic, through Roman times and ends about the time of the battle. It was only in the century after the battle that sediments began to accumulate, probably caused by the influx of alluvium from the Ings.  We then have a deep layer of sand and alluvium which rapidly accumulated possibly associated with the construction of the bridge. This restricted the ebbing of the water allowing more material to be deposited. This buildup also caused the course of the beck to move a little to the north.

The road which we have variously described as a causeway, mediaeval track is looking increasingly as if it is a Roman military road. The width and construction are consistent with that interpretation but we need to do a little more work. The surface layers show many signs of repair which continued into Tudor times.
We will be extending this trench to the east to see what lies beyond the edge of the road. If any members are available this weekend, their help would be appreciated to carry out this work.

The final headline is the remains of what appears to be a small horse. It will be worth investigating if the pieces of horse vertebrae recovered at a slightly higher context in previous digs are ‘related’ to this horse because only skeletal elements that would have been close to the ground have been recovered this year. It is not easy to imagine why a horse wold have been left to rot near the crossing but that is what appears to have happened.

There is lots more analysis to do but the model of the battlesite is even clearer after all your hard work.
Thanks very very much.

Wakefield’s Medieval Bridge and Chantry Chapel on Saturday 1st October

Wakefield’s Medieval Bridge and Chantry Chapel on Saturday 1st October

This event at The Hepworth, Wakefield will cover what is known about the Bridge and Chantry, as well as their context, with talks by an engineer about medieval bridge construction and a historian about the purpose of chantry chapels. Other talks will cover new research, both current research about bridge chapels and also research being carried out for The Hepworth into the antiquarian Gott Collection. The day will end with a visit to look at the Bridge and the Chapel.

This event coincides with the 660th anniversary of the start of worship at the Chapel, the 25th anniversary of the Friends of the Chantry Chapel and remembers the work of Kate Taylor towards its restoration.

The cost is £10 for members of Wakefield Historical Society/Friends of the Chantry Chapel, £15 for non-members. For more information, see www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk or phone 07971 449463.

 

Commemorating 950th anniversary of the battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge

Digging at Fulford, 2015

Digging at Fulford, 2015

Chas Jones has kindly sent details of this year’s commemorations of the battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge. Fulford was the first and arguably largest of the three battles in the autumn of 1066. Five days after the battle of Fulford the Vikings were caught off guard at Stamford Bridge by King Harold II and badly defeated. These two Yorkshire battles contributed to the defeat of King Harold a few weeks later at Hastings because his army was no longer fresh after its long march up to Yorkshire and back.

The archaeological digs of 2014 and 2015 on the site of the 1066 battle of Fulford yielded many fragments of bone, which appeared to be human. Sadly it was not possible to extract collagen for a carbon date or to do isotope analysis on these bones.

The work will resume this summer with more trenches where the bones were found. Another trench will expose a further section of the ancient road leading to the ford which was discovered last year.

Chas recently launched a ‘Crowdfunder’ appeal, featuring a film by Dan Snow, to get the money to open the site to visitors. As a part of the 950th anniversary of 1066 the site, which is on public land, will be open for families during the summer holidays to visit and dig some of the intriguing archaeology that was  uncovered last year.

There will be a number of events to commemorate the Fulford and Stamford Bridge battles, culminating in a battle re-enactment at Stamford Bridge on 25th September, the 950th anniversary date of that battle before the trek south to Hastings. This is being organised by English Heritage.

Chas has spoken to Medieval Section in the past. Chas hopes some of our members might venture over to Fulford to do some digging or just to come and have a look. He also runs newsletter to which you can sign up.

July

  • As a part of the Council for British Archaeology, festival of archaeology, starting on Saturday 16 July we will be digging at the ford to expose more of the ancient road and land surface of 1066
  • When the dig is over on 31 July the site will be covered over to protect it from the weather and prepared to allow visitors to inspect the battle surface

August

  • Open Fulford site with free public access to the archaeology.
  • Site is open 11-4 every day but accessible outside these hours for unguided access
  • Access is free but a £10 family ticket is planned for those wanting to take part in the dig
  • A living history camp will be making items and talking to visitors
  • Prepare tableaux of three battles with panels to explain the history and the battles

September

The site will remain open to visitors as long as weather conditions permit. The hope is to keep them open until the battle of Hastings in mid-October, weather and floods permitting, to maximise visitor opportunities

Saturday 17

  • Riccall Rampage – 9.00 Talk at Riccall and Viking ‘breakfast’ when the walk reaches Fulford. The walk takes about 3 hours and is along paths and bike tracks
  • Living history and site open all day with several battlefield walks during the day
  • Workshop for school children make armour and paper weapons for the battle, 1-4
  • Private feast for supporters and sponsors on the site starts at 5

Sunday 18

  • 00 Judging the best dressed Viking prior to Children’s re-enactment of the battle
  • 10 – 12.30 Battle on the playing fields with children and some Viking leaders. Parents must stay behind the barriers. Only children and Vikings allowed on the battlefield. Great photo opportunity as the battle moves back and forth on the surface where the battle was fought
  • Living history and site open all day with several battlefield walks during the day

Monday 19

  • Site will be configured to receive field trips from local schools

Tuesday 20  (950 anniversary)

  • Dedicate the memorial for the warriors of the battle.
  • Mid-day walk round the battlefield
  • Focus will be on attracting media attention in the build up to the Stamford Bridge weekend

Wednesday 21

  • 11-4 Brainstorm Conference “Where did the 1066 battles actually take place”
  • Themed Poetry and music evening in Fulford

Thursday 22

  • Tadcaster to Stamford Bridge ride & stride

Friday 23

  • Embroidery day with dye workshop on site

Saturday 24

  • Full day of events at SB including a battle
  • Victors feast and celebration for warriors in the evening

Sunday 25  (950 anniversary)

  • Second day of events at SB
  • 5pm English Heritage ride to Hastings sets off from central York

October 15

  • English Heritage commemorates 1066 at Battle Abbey with a massive re-enactment

 

The Richard III Foundation, Inc. 2016 Annual Symposium

The Richard III Foundation is pleased to announce its 2016 annual symposium “King Richard III: Politics, Power and People”.

Saturday, October 29 2016

Our conference will be held at the Dixie Grammar School in Market Bosworth.  Registration begins at 8:30 am with the conference starting promptly at 9 am and ending at 5:00 pm.

Our speakers and topics are:

  • Nathen Amin – Rhys ap Thomas: Friend and Foe
  • Anne Crawford – ‘Loyalty Binds Me: John Howard and the Battle of Bosworth’
  • Matthew Lewis – Richard III in Parliament: In his time were many good acts ade
  • Mike Ingram – The Battle of Northampton: A Battle Rediscovered
  • James Mulraine – ‘For by his Face straight shall you know his Heart: Revealing a panel portrait of King Richard III and exploring the popularity of Richard’s image in Tudor and Jacobean houses.’
  • Professor James Ross – ‘A man of so great nobilytie and knowledge in the warres’? John de Vere, thirteenth earl of Oxford and the Battle of Bosworth
  • John Sadler – King Richard III and Henry Percy – Magnates of the North

For a copy of our registration form, please contact us

The St Bees Knight by Chris Robson

Edited shortened version of lecture given to the Medieval Section of the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society about the St Bees Knight, by Chris Robson of St Bees Historical Society. Filmed at the Swarthmore Education Centre on 12th December 2015, and edited by Bryan Sitch, Honorary Secretary of the Medieval Section. Posted 15th June 2016.

 

South Leeds Archaeology Conference

Mike Turpin of South Leeds Archaeology Group contacted the Section recently to say they are currently relaunching their activities and have a number of projects in place.

A major project is the conference in July, at Oakwell Hall, near Birstall and just off the M62.  The theme for this conference is the ‘The Future of Practical Archaeology and the Role of Community Volunteer Archaeologists’.  They are hoping to have an audience from both volunteer archaeologists and professionals in order to share views.  There are still some places left and an early booking is recommended.

They asked to help circulate details.

 

YAHS Excursions – Summer 2016

Both of interest to Medieval Section members 🙂

This summer’s society excursions are to Markenfield Hall, near Ripon, on 8 July, and York Minster on 3 September.

Markenfield is a moated medieval house near the presumed site of a village. It’s open for only a few weeks each year.

The York Minster visit is a private guided tour of the ground floor, with access to the Undercroft included in the price.

The visits each cost £10 and places are limited. Make your own transport arrangements, though there are possibilities for sharing lifts.

Enquiries to yas.excursion@gmail.com.

Download full details and the booking form :

Summer excursions 2016