Description: This volume brings together thirteen essays on aspects of the legal system of Anglo-Saxon England. They represent a programme of research carried out over the last twenty years, offering important insights into the operation of English law from its beginnings in the sixth century through to its preservation in manuscripts dating from the tenth to early twelfth centuries.
Part I begins with an overview of the legal corpus, followed by a discussion of the relationship between secular and ecclesiastical law, and an examination of seventh-century legislation as evidence for the status of women. Part II presents revisionist interpretations of individual laws from the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Kent and Wessex, and Part III focuses on the manuscript evidence.
The collection will be of interest to Anglo-Saxon historians, linguists and palaeographers, as well as to academics and postgraduate students in the wider fields of medieval studies and the history of English law.
Brief description: Professor Carole Hough is a historical linguist who has worked extensively on the language and laws of the Anglo-Saxon period throughout her career at the Universities of Nottingham (1992-1995) and Glasgow (1995 to present). Her previous publications include the popular student textbook Beginning Old English (2nd edition 2013), which she co-authored with John Corbett. She is an Associate Director of the Historical Thesaurus of English, and President of the International Society of Anglo-Saxonists.