Constructing communities : identification and self-understanding in the twelfth-century North of England
This is a study of local communities in the north of England between 1069 and 1200. It examines the way these communities were constructed, imagined and perceived by contemporary individuals. This involves a consideration of the narratives, actions and ideas that allowed people to understand who they were and to identify with others. In the course of this inquiry, certain methods of historical practice and approaches to the narrative source material are discussed and debated. As for methods, the thesis demonstrates the utility of analysing the processes and relationships that underlay perceived âidentitiesâ. By building on recent work in the humanities and social sciences, this study conducts a close reading of a small number of carefully selected texts. With these aims in mind, each chapter examines a different element that was vital to the processes by which people identified with one another and communities were formed. The way the past was conceived and history constructed is the subject of the first. The second focuses on local saintsâ cults. Hermits and priests are considered in chapter three. The end result is an analysis that seeks to examine the interface between the authors of certain twelfth-century
Lacey, Benjamin
Constructing communities : identification and self-understanding in the twelfth-century North of England. This is a study of local communities in the north of England between 1069 and 1200. It examines the way these communities were constructed, imagined and perceived by contemporary individuals. This involves a consideration of the narratives, actions and ideas that allowed people to understand who they were and to identify with others. In the course of this inquiry, certain methods of historical practice and approaches to the narrative source material are discussed and debated. As for methods, the thesis demonstrates the utility of analysing the processes and relationships that underlay perceived âidentitiesâ. By building on recent work in the humanities and social sciences, this study conducts a close reading of a small number of carefully selected texts. With these aims in mind, each chapter examines a different element that was vital to the processes by which people identified with one another and communities were formed. The way the past was conceived and history constructed is the subject of the first. The second focuses on local saintsâ cults. Hermits and priests are considered in chapter three. The end result is an analysis that seeks to examine the interface between the authors of certain twelfth-century
constructing community identification self_understanding twelfth_century north_england study local_community north_england examines_way community construct imagine perceived contemporary individual involves consideration narrative action ideas allow people identify others course inquiry certain method historical practice approach narrative_source material discuss debate method demonstrate utility analyse process relationship underlay perceived identity building recent_work humanity social_science study_conduct close_read small_number carefully select text aim mind examines different element vital process people identify one_another community form way past conceived history construct subject first second_focus local saint cult priest consider end analysis seek_examine interface author certain twelfth_century