The Origin Legends of Early Medieval Britain and Ireland

The Origin Legends of Early Medieval Britain and Ireland explore the origin stories of four peoples in the region, shaping national identity and collective history. These multilingual texts were not written or read in isolation, but were in constant development, responding to other texts. The book argues that insular origin legends developed together to flesh out the history of the insular region.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The inhabitants of early medieval Britain and Ireland were well-aware of the fact that the region was home to four distinct peoples, and they also recognized the need to trace their origins to a different place. The study of the Origin Legends of Early Medieval Britain and Ireland delves into the rich tapestry of these peoples' origin stories, which have played a pivotal role in shaping national identity and collective history from the early medieval period to the present day. These multilingual texts, despite their apparent diversity, share numerous common features that warrant their examination as a genre. However, in the past, they have often been treated as separate traditions, with scholars using them to argue for the long-standing roots of contemporary nationalisms. It is important to note, however, that these narratives were not created or consumed in isolation during the medieval period. Individual narratives were constantly evolving, being written and rewritten in response to other texts. This book makes a compelling argument that insular origin legends emerged and developed together, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the history of the insular region as a whole.

The inhabitants of early medieval Britain and Ireland were well-aware of the fact that the region was home to four distinct peoples, and they also recognized the need to trace their origins to a different place. The study of the Origin Legends of Early Medieval Britain and Ireland delves into the rich tapestry of these peoples' origin stories, which have played a pivotal role in shaping national identity and collective history from the early medieval period to the present day. These multilingual texts, despite their apparent diversity, share numerous common features that warrant their examination as a genre. However, in the past, they have often been treated as separate traditions, with scholars using them to argue for the long-standing roots of contemporary nationalisms. It is important to note, however, that these narratives were not created or consumed in isolation during the medieval period. Individual narratives were constantly evolving, being written and rewritten in response to other texts. This book makes a compelling argument that insular origin legends emerged and developed together, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the history of the insular region as a whole.

Weight: 551g
ISBN-13: 9781009225618