Religion, Politics and Society in Britain, 800-1066

317 Pages·2014·2.31 MB·English

by  A.E. Redgate

Religion, Politics and Society
–
in Britain, 800 1066
Using a comparative and broad perspective, Religion, Politics and Society in Britain,
800–1066 draws on archaeology, art history, material culture, texts from charms
to chronicles, from royal law-codes to sermons to poems, and other evidence to
demonstrate the centrality of Christianity and the Church to Britain, 800–1066.
It delineates their contributions to the changes in politics, economy, society and
culture that occurred between 800 and 1066, from nation-building to practi-
calities of government to landscape.
The period 800–1066 saw the beginnings of a fundamental restructuring of
politics, society and economy throughout Christian Europe in which religion
played a central role. In Britain too the interaction of religion with politics and
society was profound and pervasive. There was no part of life which Christianity
and the Church did not touch: they affected belief, thought and behaviour at all
levels of society.
This book points out interconnections within society and between archae-
ological, art-historical and literary evidence and similarities between aspects of
culture not only within Britain but also in comparison with Armenian Christen-
dom. A.E. Redgate explores the importance of religious ideas, institutions, per-
sonnel and practices inthe creation andexpression ofidentities and communities,
the structure and functioning of society and the life of the individual.
This book will be essential reading for students of early medieval Britain and
religious and social history.
A.E. Redgate is a Lecturer in Medieval History at Newcastle University,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where she has taught Anglo-Saxon history, Armenian his-
tory and World history. Her publications include TheArmenians (1998)andarticles
drawing on Anglo-Saxon and Welsh history to illuminate Armenian subjects, on
Armenian history to illuminate the Anglo-Saxon, and comparing Anglo-Saxon
and Armenian kings.
Religion, Politics and Society in Britain
Edited by Keith Robbins
The Conversion of Britain: Religion, Politics and Society in Britain,
600–800
Barbara Yorke
The Age of Reformation: The Tudor and Stewart Realms, 1485–1603
Alec Ryrie
The Post-Reformation: Religion, Politics and Society in Britain,
1603–1714
John Spurr
Eighteenth-Century Britain: Religion and Politics, 1714–1815
Nigel Yates
Providence and Empire: Religion, Politics and Society in the
United Kingdom, 1815–1914
Stewart Brown
Religion and Society in Twentieth-Century Britain
Callum G. Brown
Religion, Politics and Society in Britain, 1066–1272
Henry Mayr-Harting
Religion, Politics and Society
–
in Britain, 800 1066
A.E. Redgate
Firstpublished2014
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Redgate,A.E.(AnneElizabeth)
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pagescm–(Religion,politicsandsocietyinBritain)
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
1.GreatBritain–History–Anglo-Saxonperiod,449–1066.2.Christianityand
politics–GreatBritain–History–To1500.3.Religionandpolitics–Great
Britain–History–To1500.4.Anglo-Saxons–Politicsandgovernment.
5.Christianity–GreatBritain–History.6.Anglo-Saxons–Socialconditions.
I.Title.
DA152.R372014
941.01–dc23
2013034116
ISBN:978-0-415-73668-8(hbk)
ISBN:978-0-582-38250-3(pbk)
ISBN:978-1-315-81472-8(ebk)
TypesetinBaskerville
byTaylorandFrancisBooks
To Bob,
φιλτάτω
ι
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Contents
Acknowledgements x
Series Editor’s Preface xi
Note on References xiii
Maps xv
PARTI
Britain c. 800–c. 1066 1
1 Britain in c. 800 and in c. 1066: Changes and continuities 3
Introduction 3
Politics, economy, religion, culture and society c. 800 7
Continuity and change: politics, economy, religion, culture and society on the eve of
the Norman Conquest, 1066 19
2 Records and remains: Religion and reconstructions 31
A holistic approach 31
Material remains 33
Linguistic evidence 39
Texts – England 41
Texts – Scotland and Wales 49
Approaches and methodologies 52
A case study in comparative history: vernacular liturgy 54
PARTII
Beginnings: Identities and communities 61
3 Kings: Christianity and control 63
Introduction 63
Self-representation and representation 64
Strong kingship and control of the Church 74
viii Contents
4 Kings: Christianity and acceptance 81
Unification 81
Dynasties and legitimacy 86
Other methods of control and unification 90
5 Churches: Boundaries and aspirations 98
Introduction 98
Archbishoprics and bishoprics 98
Monasteries, minsters and parishes 104
Parishes, local churches and secular lordship 108
National Churches? 111
6 Social Cohesion 115
Introduction 115
Christians, nations and kingdoms 115
Dioceses, towns, villages and localities 124
Monasticism, penance, pilgrimage, saints, spiritual kinship and prayer 128
Scots and Welsh communities and their bonds 132
PARTIII
Ends: The structuring of society 137
7 The Church in society 139
Introduction 139
Political theory and engagement 139
The Church and gender 142
8 Women’s agency 154
Misogyny and emancipation 154
Property 156
Vowesses, cloistered women and saints 159
Women in British and Scots’ societies 167
9 The Church in the landscape 170
The physical reality 170
The Church in the economy 174
The Church and socio-economic change 180
Contents ix
PARTIV
Means: Order and individuals 189
10 Government, law and administration 191
High politics and government 191
Law, law courts and the legal system 194
Dues, troops and war 202
Diplomacy: embassies and letters 204
Scotland and Wales 205
11 Pastoral care 209
Introduction 209
Pastoral care in England before the great reform 209
Pastoral care in late Anglo-Saxon England: aspirations, complaints and
concern 212
Pastoral care in late Anglo-Saxon England: an optimistic view 216
Beyond the English: pastoral care in Scotland and Wales 225
12 The Christian’s life 229
Routines and special occasions 229
Evil and misfortune 238
Sin and salvation 245
Conclusion: 1066 255
Bibliography 257
Index 279