medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I was impressed by Prof Martin's exposition but wondered (from my outsider
position) why it was necessary to say what he did to this audience..
I have always assumed that there are three layers to the exposition of any
research.
1. A description of the data you have collected whether it is from trenches
(archaeology), charters & chronicals (Med Hist &c), or the literary text
(Lit Crit.)
2. An interpretation of this in the light of whatever scholarly tradition
you are part of.
3. Speculation and imaginative reconstruction and your own original
contibution. "Filling the gaps".
Provided it is ABSOLUTELY CLEAR from the way you write which level you are
at, what is the problem ? We ALL write from within a tradition, but surely
that should be plain to both ourselves and to our readers. Nor does this
preclude appreciation of, and respect for, other traditions. (I think most
of us are fascinated and delighted to get access to Islamic accounts of the
Crusades.)
And yes, there are some absolutes. "This text contains these words." "This
trench contained these artifacts." Whether the text is a fake, contemporary
or not, and whether the trench has been "salted" is part of the second level
of interpretation.
And yes, we must look at the gaps and try to fill them in the light of the
known facts, always baring in mind that the next person's published finds
may throw our own theories into disorder ... but that's research for you.
Vive le sport!
Brenda M. C.
.
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