Medieval Europeans: Studies in Ethnic Identity and National Perspectives in Medieval Europe

by Alfred P. Smyth

Overview

In this book, a team of leading scholars in the fields of Medieval Literature and History explore the origins of European ethnic groups which subsequently developed into the nations of Modern Europe. Evidence for the existence of ethnic consciousness, which was later to form the basis of nation states, is examined for leading European peoples. The reconstruction and invention of the past by medieval writers in search of ethnic origins for their own particular political or tribal groups is also studied from a literary and historical point of view. For many historians, nationalism is seen as a nineteenth-century invention. The contributors in this book show that ethnic awareness and national identities for all the leading states of Europe have their origins firmly embedded in the medieval past. The book covers the British Isles as well as Continental Europe, for strong national divisions have survived within Britain to the present day in spite of its location for several centuries at the heart of the British Empire.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312213015
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/15/1998
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Alfred P. Smyth is Professor of Medieval History and Master of Keynes College.

Table of Contents

Notes on the Contributors
• Introduction
• Law and Ethnic Identity in the Western Kingdoms in the Fifth and Sixth Centuries--Roger Collins
• The Emergence of English Identity: 700-1000--Alfred P. Smyth
• The Making of England and Germany, 850-1050: Points of Comparison and Difference--Timothy Reuter
• National Identity in Medieval Wales--Michael Richter
• John of Fordun and the Independent Identity of the Scots--Bruce Webster
• Higden's Britain--Peter Brown
• 'National' Requisitioning for 'Public' Use of 'Private' Castles in Pre-Nation State France--Charles Coulson
• The Trojan Origins of the French: The Commencement of a Myth's Demise, 1450-1520--Elizabeth A.R. Brown
• The Invention of Rus(sia)(s): Some Remarks on Medieval & Modern Perceptions of Continuity and Discontinuity--Simon Franklin
• Civic Pride versus Feelings for Italy in the Age of Dante--Teresa Hankey
• The Notion of Lombard and Lombardy in the Middle Ages--Diego Zancani
• European Nationality, Race, and Commonwealth in the Writings of Sir Francis Palgrave, 1788-1861--Roger Smith
• Index

Editorial Reviews

Combs through the literature and history to trace the origins of European ethnic groups, many of which either developed into the modern nations or have persevered as minorities. For such peoples as the Welsh, Scots, Russians, Italians, and Spanish, looks for evidence that they saw themselves as a separate group and at their reinvention of their origins and histories to bolster their self-image. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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