The Oxford Experience Summer School
The Making of England
6 - 12 July 2008
course tutor: David Beard MA
Between the fifth century AD and the eleventh century, Britain was the target for three groups of foreign settlers: the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and the Normans. The nature of each of these settlements was different and the contribution that these settlers made to the formation of England varied considerably, but they each played a major role in shaping the country. The Anglo-Saxons were the first “English”: they gave us our language and much of the settlement pattern of the country. Under the Anglo-Saxons Christianity became the religion of England. The Vikings began as pagan raiders, but ended up controlling over half of the country – the area known as the Danelaw. The Vikings influenced parts of the English language and they made a major contribution to the English legal system. The Normans also exerted an influence on the English language and their influence on English social structure and the arts was tremendous. Norman influence extended into all aspects of life: they were the first people to produce a detailed account of all land holdings in the country – The Domesday Book – an important historic document that gives us a snapshot of life in the eleventh century.
This course will examine the background to these different peoples: their homelands and the nature of the settlement in England; their contribution to the social, economic and cultural life of the period and the lasting legacies that they have left in modern England. Our evidence will come from history, archaeology, place-name studies and the history of language.
There will be a field trip to Winchester - an Anglo-Saxon town that built important defences against Viking invasions and became an important seat of power in the Norman period.
Suggested reading list:
- Richards, J.D., 1991, Viking Age England, Batsford/English Heritage
- Rowley, T., 1997, Norman England, Batsford/English Heritage
- Welch, M., 1992, Anglo-Saxon England, Batsford/English Heritage
This is intended to be a list of useful Web sites for this course:
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