Borders and the Norman World: Frontiers and Boundaries in Medieval Europe

The study of the Norman World's borders, frontiers, and boundaries in Europe, shedding fresh light on their nature and extent. The Normans exerted great influence across Christendom and beyond in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, with figures like William the Conqueror and Robert Guiscard subduing vast territories. This volume examines the nature, forms, and function of borders in and around the Norman World, looking at Normandy, the British-Irish Isles, and Southern Italy. Three sections frame the collection: physical features, establishment, contest, and negotiation, and the utility of conceptual frontiers for both medieval authors and modern historians.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The Normans, a powerful group in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, had a significant impact on Christendom and beyond. Figures like William the Conqueror and Robert Guiscard conquered vast territories, and their achievements were recorded by chroniclers like Orderic Vitalis and Geoffrey Malaterra. Through their travels and conquests, the Normans encountered, created, and conceptualized many borders, which were often grouped together as the Norman World.

This volume explores the nature, forms, and function of borders in and around the Norman World, focusing on Normandy, the British-Irish Isles, and Southern Italy. The book is divided into three sections. The first section examines physical features, such as broad frontier expanses, rivers, and walls that served as lines of division. The second section explores how borders were established, contested, and negotiated between the papacy and lay rulers and senior churchmen. The third section highlights the utility of conceptual frontiers for both medieval authors and modern historians.

The essays in the collection cover various topics, including Archbishop Anselm's travels across Christendom, the portrayal of borders in the writings of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis, and Gerald of Wales, and the limits of Norman seigneurial and papal power at the edges of Europe. Overall, the essays demonstrate the role that the manipulation of borders played in the creation of the Norman World and address what these borders did and whom they benefited.

The Normans' influence extended far beyond their borders, and their legacy can still be seen in the political, social, and cultural landscapes of Europe today. Their conquests and settlements helped shape the political map of the region, and their cultural contributions, such as the Norman-French language and the Norman architecture, have left a lasting impact. The study of the Norman World's borders, frontiers, and boundaries provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of this influential period in history.

Weight: 786g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277858