I think we may be a bit ahead of the game in Wales in dealing with these -
our surviving documentary evidence for the early medieval period is so
scanty that we can't afford to reject anything: so people like Wendy Davies
have done remarkable work in deconstructing charters like the ones in the
Book of Llan Daf (for many years regarded as a totally spurious document
faked up by Bishop Urban in the early C12 to bolster his claims to
territory)
and identifying 'authentic' elements (whatever that means in a postmodern
context).
And I wouldn't argue with either Wendy Davies or Della Hooke. But I suppose
someone ought to, on principle.
Happy Ash Wednesday, Chris. We will burn our palm crosses this evening and
think of you and Stephen and hope that yours get burned safely this year!
Maddy
Dr Madeleine Gray, in the foothills of God's golden county of Gwent
(Department of Humanities and Science
UWCN Caerleon Campus
PO Box 179
Newport NP18 3YG
Tel: +44 (0)1633.432675
http://humanities.newport.ac.uk/history.html)
'Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought'
|