For the Anglo-Saxons, Latin was a language of choice that revealed a multitude of beliefs and desires about themselves as subjects, believers, scholars, and artists. In this groundbreaking collection, ten leading scholars explore the intersections between identity and Latin language and literature in Anglo-Saxon England. Ranging from the works of the Venerable Bede and St Boniface in the eighth century to Osbern's account of eleventh-century Canterbury, Latinity and Identity in Anglo-Saxon Literature offers new insights into the Anglo-Saxons' ideas about literary form, monasticism, language, and national identity.

Latin prose, poetry, and musical styles are reconsidered, as is the relationship between Latin and Old English. Monastic identity, intertwined as it was with the learning of Latin and reformation of the self, is also an important theme. By offering fresh perspectives on texts both famous and neglected, Latinity and Identity will transform readers' views of Anglo-Latin literature.

"Latinity and Identity in Anglo-Saxon Literature collects together essays that push the discourse of Anglo-Latin literature beyond its customary boundaries. The editors have brought together a wide cross-section of specialists to ensure that every part of the period is covered. The great strength of all the essays, without exception, is that they start from, and crucially stay with, the primary sources." -- Rosalind Love, Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, University of Cambridge

About the Author
Rebecca Stephenson is a Lecturer in Old and Middle English at University College Dublin. Emily V. Thornbury is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Berkeley.

Reviews

"As a contribution to the study of the Latin textual culture of earlier medieval England - and especially in emphasizing Latin's own diversity as it interacts sensitively with time, place, and situation rather than viewing it as a monolithic member of a simple intellectual hierarchy - Rebecca Stephenson and Emily V. Thornbury's Latinity and Identity in Anglo-Saxon Literature has great value, with each chapter offering insights and several producing real innovations of method or perspective."

-- Britt Mize, Texas A&M University * Speculum *

"While many of these essays have interesting things to say about identity formation, the collection has much to offer beyond that topic to anyone interested in the formal analysis of imitation in Latin."

-- Carin Ruff, Independent Scholar * Early Medieval Europe *



Book Information
ISBN 9781442637580
Author Rebecca Stephenson
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint University of Toronto Press
Publisher University of Toronto Press
Weight(grams) 550g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 159mm * 22mm