| The Diplomas of King Aethlred 'The Unready' 978 1016 Pbk Version Edition Contributor(s): Keynes, S. (Author), Keynes, Simon (Author) |
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ISBN: 0521023084 ISBN-13: 9780521023085 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $58.89 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 2005 Annotation: The reign of ??thelred ???the Unready??? (978-1016) is known to us mainly from a series of annals in the Anglo-Saxon Chrolicle, written at or after its close and accordingly conveying an impression of gathering doom as Viking armies ravaged the country and eventually, under the leadership of Swein Forkbeard and Cnut, brought about its conquest. Dr Keynes is here concerned to establish what light the royal diplomas issued in King ??thelred??'s name throw on this unhappy and notorious period. He first considers the general issues that bear directly on the value of royal diplomas as historical evidence for all periods of Anglo-Saxon history, discussing the circumstances under which these documents have been preserved, the techniques available for their criticism, and the arrangements that existed for their production. He then demonstrates how a detailed analysis of ??thelred??'s diplomas can transform our understanding of this troubled reign. On a practical level they provide invaluable evidence on the operation of royal government, and on a personal level they afford a remarkable insight into the relations between the king and his councillors, suggesting a picture of political manoeuvring and court intrigue which compensates for the chronicler??'s emphasis on the struggle against the marauding Vikings. By placing the familiar account of incessant warfare in the context of these domestic affairs it becomes possible for the first time to see the reign in its true perspective. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Western Europe - General - History | Europe - Great Britain - General |
| Dewey: 942 |
| LCCN: 2006273649 |
| Series: Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Third |
| Physical Information: 0.71" H x 5.5" W x 8.5" (0.89 lbs) 316 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Western Europe - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The reign of thelred 'the Unready' (978-1016) is known to us mainly from a series of annals in the Anglo-Saxon Chrolicle, written at or after its close and accordingly conveying an impression of gathering doom as Viking armies ravaged the country and eventually, under the leadership of Swein Forkbeard and Cnut, brought about its conquest. Dr Keynes is here concerned to establish what light the royal diplomas issued in King thelred's name throw on this unhappy and notorious period. He first considers the general issues that bear directly on the value of royal diplomas as historical evidence for all periods of Anglo-Saxon history, discussing the circumstances under which these documents have been preserved, the techniques available for their criticism, and the arrangements that existed for their production. He then demonstrates how a detailed analysis of thelred's diplomas can transform our understanding of this troubled reign. On a practical level they provide invaluable evidence on the operation of royal government, and on a personal level they afford a remarkable insight into the relations between the king and his councillors, suggesting a picture of political manoeuvring and court intrigue which compensates for the chronicler's emphasis on the struggle against the marauding Vikings. By placing the familiar account of incessant warfare in the context of these domestic affairs it becomes possible for the first time to see the reign in its true perspective. |