Early modern Britain's relationship to its past : the historiographical fortunes of the legends of Brute, Albina, and Scota

This volume considers the reception in the early modern period of four popular medieval myths of nationhood - the legends of Brutus, Albina, Scota and Arthur - tracing their intertwined literary and historiographical afterlives. The book thus speaks to several connected areas and is timely on a number of fronts: its dialogue with current investigations into early modern historiography and the period's relationship to its past, its engagement with pressing issues in identity and gender studies, and its analysis of the formation of British national origin stories at a time when modern Britain is seriously considering its own future as a nation. "This volume considers the reception in the early modern period of three popular medieval myths of nationhood--the legends of Brutus, Albina, and Scota--tracing their intertwined literary and historiographical afterlives. The book is particularly timely in its dialogue with current investigations into early modern historiography and the period's relationship to its past, its engagement with pressing issues in identity and gender studies, and its analysis of British national origin stories at a time when modern Britain is considering its own future as a nation"-- Provided by publisher Contents 7 Acknowledgments 9 Preface 11 Introduction: Origins of Origins 13 Chapter 1. Brutal Beginnings: Britain and the Reception of Brutus of Troy 45 Chapter 2. Albina and Her Sisters: Female Foundations 81 Chapter 3. Remembering Scotland: The Early Modern Reception of Scota 115 Chapter 4. Arthurian Afterthoughts Princes, Kings, and the Prophetic Past 159 References 171 Index 185 Acknowledgments vii Preface ix Introduction: Origins of Origins 1 Brutal Beginnings: Britain and the Reception of Brutus of Troy 33 Albina and Her Sisters: Female Foundations 69 Remembering Scotland: The Early Modern Reception of Scota 103 Arthurian Afterthoughts: Princes, Kings, and the Prophetic Past 147 References 159 Index 173