Reading Layamon's 'Brut'. Approaches and explorations. / Rosamund Allen; Jane Roberts; Carole Weinberg.

Format:

Book

Series:

DQR studies in literature ; 52.

DQR Studies in Literature ; 52

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Layamon, active 1200. Brut--Criticism, Textual.

Layamon.

Otho Layamon.

Arthurian romances--Criticism, Textual.

Arthurian romances.

Criticism, Textual.

Britons--Romances--Criticism, Textual.

Britons.

Manuscripts, Medieval--England.

Manuscripts, Medieval.

Britons--Romances.

England.

Physical Description:

viii unnumbered pages, 768 pages : illustrations ; c2013.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam : Rodopi B.V., 2013.

Summary:

For Layamon, or Lawman (both forms are used), a parish priest living on the Welsh March c.1200, the criteria of language, race and territory all provided ways of defining the nation state, which is why his Brut commands a diverse readership to-day. The range of view-points in this book reflects the breadth and complexity of Layamon's own vision of the way his world is moulded by past conquests and racial tensions. The Brut is an open-ended narrative of Britain, its peoples, and its place-names as they changed under new rulers, and tells, for the first time in English, the rise and fall of Arthur, highlighting his role in the unfolding history of Britain. Beginning with its legendary founder, Brutus, the story is imagined anew, and although it concludes with an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, Layamon's closing words remind us that changes will come: " i-wurðe þet iwurðe: i-wurðe Godes wille. Amen." This book offers detailed discussion and new perspectives.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9789042036949

904203694X

OCLC:

852259973