Looking at t'other : Robert Thornton's Yorkshire Oryent, c.1400-1473
This thesis examines the place of the 'Oryent' in the socio-cultural milieu of Robert Thornton, a member of the North Riding gentry, circa 1400-1473. Using the figure of Thornton, and his two manuscripts, Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library MS 91 and London, British Library MS Additional 31042, as a way of entering into this cultural landscape, it situates them in their historical and geographical contexts in order to explore the representations, reception of, and attitudes towards the people and material culture of the 'Oryent' (employing Thornton's own orthography and usage to define this region) as found in Thornton's socio-cultural sphere. By then exploring both the cultural landscape, and the ideas presented by the manuscripts themselves, this thesis argues that, counter to much current critical thinking, those of Thornton's circle possessed a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the 'Oryent', and its people, the Jews and so-called 'Saracens'. Firstly it examines the real contemporary presence and usages of 'Oryental' foodstuffs, fabrics and animals throughout Yorkshire. It then explores the remembered presence of the Jews, the evoked presence of the Holy Land in the city of York, and how these cultural
Bartlett, Jennifer
Looking at t'other : Robert Thornton's Yorkshire Oryent, c.1400-1473. This thesis examines the place of the 'Oryent' in the socio-cultural milieu of Robert Thornton, a member of the North Riding gentry, circa 1400-1473. Using the figure of Thornton, and his two manuscripts, Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral Library MS 91 and London, British Library MS Additional 31042, as a way of entering into this cultural landscape, it situates them in their historical and geographical contexts in order to explore the representations, reception of, and attitudes towards the people and material culture of the 'Oryent' (employing Thornton's own orthography and usage to define this region) as found in Thornton's socio-cultural sphere. By then exploring both the cultural landscape, and the ideas presented by the manuscripts themselves, this thesis argues that, counter to much current critical thinking, those of Thornton's circle possessed a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the 'Oryent', and its people, the Jews and so-called 'Saracens'. Firstly it examines the real contemporary presence and usages of 'Oryental' foodstuffs, fabrics and animals throughout Yorkshire. It then explores the remembered presence of the Jews, the evoked presence of the Holy Land in the city of York, and how these cultural
looking other yorkshire examines place socio_cultural milieu member north riding gentry circa using figure manuscript lincoln lincoln cathedral library london british library additional way enter cultural_landscape situate historical_geographical context order_explore representation reception attitudes_towards people material_culture employ orthography usage define region find socio_cultural sphere explore cultural_landscape idea present manuscript argues counter much_current critical_thinking circle possess sophisticated nuanced people jews so_called firstly_examine real contemporary presence usage foodstuff fabric animal throughout yorkshire explores remember presence jews evoke presence holy_land city york cultural