
Writing History in the Community of St Cuthbert, c.700-1130
From Bede to Symeon of Durham
Charles C. Rozier(Author)
York Medieval Press
Published on 19. June 2020
Book
Hardback
253 pages
978-1-903153-94-9 (ISBN)
Description
An examination of the extraordinary texts produced by the community of St Cuthbert, showing how they were used to construct and define an identity.
Historical texts of all kinds were written in the community of St Cuthbert c.700-1130, from short annals to extended narrative history, political tracts and works on the lives and miracles of saints.At the same time, scribes in the community worked to copy and procure notable classics of historiography, from Classical Antiquity down to the Norman Conquest of England. But what did these various forms of writing about past events mean to their original authors and readers? What were these texts for?
This book offers a narrative of historiographical production within St Cuthbert's community from the time of its foundation on the island of Lindisfarne, through subsequent translations to Chester-le-Street and Durham, down to the vibrant intellectual revival of the Anglo-Norman period. Focusing on several watershed moments in the story of this community, it identifies political, religious, intellectual andcultural triggers for historical writing, and argues that knowledge of past events gave successive guardians of Cuthbert's cult their single most valuable tool in the continuous effort to define who they were, where they had comefrom, and what they hoped to continue to be.
Historical texts of all kinds were written in the community of St Cuthbert c.700-1130, from short annals to extended narrative history, political tracts and works on the lives and miracles of saints.At the same time, scribes in the community worked to copy and procure notable classics of historiography, from Classical Antiquity down to the Norman Conquest of England. But what did these various forms of writing about past events mean to their original authors and readers? What were these texts for?
This book offers a narrative of historiographical production within St Cuthbert's community from the time of its foundation on the island of Lindisfarne, through subsequent translations to Chester-le-Street and Durham, down to the vibrant intellectual revival of the Anglo-Norman period. Focusing on several watershed moments in the story of this community, it identifies political, religious, intellectual andcultural triggers for historical writing, and argues that knowledge of past events gave successive guardians of Cuthbert's cult their single most valuable tool in the continuous effort to define who they were, where they had comefrom, and what they hoped to continue to be.
Reviews / Votes
This excellent book provides a thoughtful analysis. This book should interest scholars who focus on Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman England or those interested in the role of history in the Middle Ages. It is highly recommended. * ANGLICAN AND EPISCOPAL HISTORY * [T]horoughly researched. -- SPECULUM [A] fascinating case-study in early medieval historiography -- JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN EARLY MEDIEVAL ASSOC. A short review cannot do justice to the wealth of detail contained within this monograph. * LIBRARY AND INFORMATION HISTORY * The huge bibliography is extremely helpful, as are the appendix summary of the texts discussed and a useful, not overwhelming, index. -- Margaret Coombe * Nottingham Medieval Studies *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
York
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
7 b/w, 1 line illus.
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
552 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-903153-94-9 (9781903153949)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Charles C. Rozier
Writing History in the Community of St Cuthbert, c.700-1130
From Bede to Symeon of Durham
E-Book
06/2020
1st Edition
De Gruyter
€48.99
Available for download
Person
CHARLES C. ROZIER is Lecturer in Medieval Studies at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Content
Appendix: Historical Writing with the community of St Cuthbert, c.700-1130
Introduction
Conclusion
The Origins of History Writing in the Community of St Cuthbert to c.750
Preserving the Past at Chester-le-Street, c.882-995
Establishing a new Cult Centre at Durham, c.995-1080
Constructing a Monastic Past and Future at Durham, c.1083-1115
Reinterpreting the Past in the Light of the Present, c.1080-1130
Placing Durham in Time: Writing Annals and Chronicles, c.1100-1130
Introduction
Conclusion
The Origins of History Writing in the Community of St Cuthbert to c.750
Preserving the Past at Chester-le-Street, c.882-995
Establishing a new Cult Centre at Durham, c.995-1080
Constructing a Monastic Past and Future at Durham, c.1083-1115
Reinterpreting the Past in the Light of the Present, c.1080-1130
Placing Durham in Time: Writing Annals and Chronicles, c.1100-1130