The written word in early medieval England : Kent, Mercia and Wessex, c. 830-920 / Robert Gallagher

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gallagher, Robert (Lecturer in history), author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., 129.

Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; fourth series, 129

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

England--Intellectual life--To 1066.

England.

Written communication--England--History--To 1500.

Written communication.

Literacy--England--History--To 1500.

Literacy.

English literature--Old English, ca. 450-1100--History and criticism.

English literature.

English literature--Old English.

Intellectual life.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

History

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations, maps.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026

Summary:

"This book presents an innovative, holistic examination of the uses of the written word in early medieval England during a century of political and societal upheaval, culminating in the emergence of the kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons under Alfred the Great and his children, Æthelflæd and Edward the Elder. Through a diverse range of documentary, literary and material evidence, Robert Gallagher explains how literary activity during this period – particularly involving members of the laity – has often been underestimated. He focuses on several innovations in documentary culture that took place in the mid-ninth century, which in turn played a significant role in establishing the cultural conditions for Alfredian cultural renewal. The evidence makes clear that limited personal literacy did not pose a barrier to participation in literary activity. This study thus makes a major new contribution to our understanding of England's ninth- and tenth-century history"-- Cambridge Core

Contents:

Writing, communication and encounters

Writing kingship : the development of royal diplomatic

Beyond the king’s voice : non-royal charters and documentary culture

The kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons and the written word

Books and their users

Charters, verse and Latin performance

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed May 11, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Gallagher, Robert (Lecturer in history) Written word in early medieval England

ISBN:

9781009628853

1009628852

OCLC:

1585500062

Publisher Number:

CIPO000365821

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license