A discourse of exile : representations of restored royal exiles in Anglo-Saxon England
Exile was a state of hardship undertaken by a vast number of individuals throughout the history of Anglo-Saxon England. Thoughts about exile permeate literary works throughout the period, including poems, homilies, and prose narratives. Exile was a powerful force in shaping concepts of the Anglo-Saxon past. In this dissertation, I will examine how stories about exile were employed to craft presentations of Anglo-Saxon kings who had been restored to power. To this end I have selected three representative kings for discussion: Edwin of Northumbria, Alfred of Wessex, and Ăthelred II of England. Bedeâs Historia Ecclesiastica and its portrayal of Edwinâs exile experience is the subject of the first chapter. In the chapter about Alfred I assess Asserâs biography of that king (the Vita Ălfredi), as well as entries made in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the prologue to Alfredâs law code. In the final chapter I look at the Chroniclerâs account of Ăthelred II, and assess the manipulation of language and employment of literary device in the kingâs post-exile charters and legislation. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, I demonstrate how new questions may be asked of these well-known primary sources
White, William Roy
A discourse of exile : representations of restored royal exiles in Anglo-Saxon England. Exile was a state of hardship undertaken by a vast number of individuals throughout the history of Anglo-Saxon England. Thoughts about exile permeate literary works throughout the period, including poems, homilies, and prose narratives. Exile was a powerful force in shaping concepts of the Anglo-Saxon past. In this dissertation, I will examine how stories about exile were employed to craft presentations of Anglo-Saxon kings who had been restored to power. To this end I have selected three representative kings for discussion: Edwin of Northumbria, Alfred of Wessex, and Ăthelred II of England. Bedeâs Historia Ecclesiastica and its portrayal of Edwinâs exile experience is the subject of the first chapter. In the chapter about Alfred I assess Asserâs biography of that king (the Vita Ălfredi), as well as entries made in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the prologue to Alfredâs law code. In the final chapter I look at the Chroniclerâs account of Ăthelred II, and assess the manipulation of language and employment of literary device in the kingâs post-exile charters and legislation. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, I demonstrate how new questions may be asked of these well-known primary sources
discourse exile representation restore royal exile anglo_saxon_england exile state hardship undertaken vast number_individual throughout_history anglo_saxon_england thoughts exile permeate literary_work throughout_period include poem homily prose narrative exile powerful force shape concept anglo_saxon past examine story exile employ craft presentation anglo_saxon king restore power end select representative king discussion northumbria wessex england bede historia_ecclesiastica portrayal exile experience_subject first chapter ass biography king vita well entry make anglo saxon_chronicle prologue law_code final look chronicler account ass manipulation language employment literary_device king post exile charter legislation adopt interdisciplinary new question may ask well_known primary_source