The Elizabethan Invention of Anglo-Saxon England: Laurence Nowell, William Lambarde, and the Study of Old English (Studies in Renaissance Literature, 30)

The writings of two influential Elizabethan thinkers testify to the influence of Old English law and literature on Tudor society and self-image. Full of fresh and illuminating insights into a way of looking at the English past in the sixteenth century... a book with the potential to deepen and transform our understanding of Tudor attitudes to ethnic identity and the national past. Philip Schwyzer, University of Exeter. Laurence Nowell (1530-c.1570), author of the first dictionary of Old English, and William Lambarde (1536-1601), Nowell's protégé and eventually the first editor of theOld English Laws, are key figures in Elizabethan historical discourses and in its political and literary society; through their work the period between the Germanic migrations and the Norman Conquest came to be regarded as a foundational time for Elizabethan England, overlapping with and contributing to contemporary debates on the shape of Elizabethan English language. Their studies took different strategies in demonstrating the role of early medieval history in Elizabethan national -- even imperial -- identity, while in Lambarde's legal writings Old English law codes become identical with the "ancient laws" that underpinned contemporary common law. Their efforts contradict the assumption that Anglo-Saxon studies did not effectively participate in Tudor nationalism outside of Protestant polemic; instead, it was a vital part of making history "English". Their work furthers our understanding of both the history of medieval studies and the importance of early Anglo-Saxon studies to Tudor nationalism. Rebecca Brackmann is Assistant Professor of English, Lincoln Memorial University. Laurence Nowell (1530-c.1750), Author Of The First Dictionary Of Old English, And William Lambarde (1536-1601), Nowell's Protégé And Eventually The First Editor Of The Old English Laws, Are Key Figures In Elizabethan Historical Discourses And In Its Political And Literary Society. Through Their Work, The Period Between The Germanic Migrations And The Norman Conquest Came To Be Regarded As A Foundational Time For Elizabethan England, Overlapping With And Contributing To Contemporary Debates On The Shape Of Elizabethan English Language. Their Studies Took Different Strategies In Demonstrating The Role Of Early Medieval History In Elizabethan--even Imperial--identity, While In Lambarde's Legal Writings Old English Law Codes Become Identical With The 'ancient Laws' That Underpinned Contemporary Common Law. Their Efforts Contradict The Assumption That Anglo-saxon Studies Did Not Effectively Participate In Tudor Nationalism Outside Of Protestant Polemic; Instead, It Was A Vital Part Of Making History 'english'. Their Work Furthers Our Understanding Of Both The History Of Medieval Studies And The Importance Of Early Anglo-saxon Studies To Tudor Nationalism--provided By Publisher. The Anglo-saxonists And Their Books: Print, Manuscript, And The Circulation Of Scholarship -- The Abcedarium Glossary: Sources And Methods Of Nowell's Old English Lexicography -- Inkhorns, Orthographers, And Antiquaries: Standardized English And The Dawn Of Anglo-saxon Studies -- Somewhere In Time: The Abcedarium Place-name Index -- Putting The Past In Place: Lambarde's Alphabetical Description And Perambulation Of Kent -- Images And Imaginings Of England -- 'the Saxons, Our Ancestors': Ancient Law And Old English Laws -- Conclusion: The Invention Of Anglo-saxon England. Rebecca Brackmann. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 228-238) And Index. Full of fresh and illuminating insights into a way of looking at the English past in the sixteenth century... a book with the potential to deepen and transform our understanding of Tudor attitudes to ethnic identity and the national past.' - Philip Schwyzer, University of Exeter. Laurence Nowell (1530-c.1570), author of the first dictionary of Old English, and William Lambarde (1536-1601), Nowell's protégé and eventually the first editor of the Old English Laws, are key figures in Elizabethan historical discourses and in its political and literary society; through their work the period between the Germanic migrations and the Norman Conquest came to be regarded as a foundational time for Elizabethan England, overlapping with and contributing to contemporary debates on the shape of Elizabethan English language. Their studies took different strategies in demonstrating the role of early medieval history in Elizabethan national - even imperial - identity, while in Lambarde's legal writings Old English law codes become identical with the 'ancient laws' that underpinned contemporary common law. Their efforts contradict the assumption that Anglo-Saxon studies did not effectively participate in Tudor nationalism outside of Protestant polemic; instead, it was a vital part of making history 'English.' Their work furthers our understanding of both the history of medieval studies and the importance of early Anglo-Saxon studies to Tudor nationalism. Rebecca Brackmann is Assistant Professor of English, Lincoln Memorial University Laurence Nowell (1530-C.1570), author of the first dictionary of Old English, and William Lambarde (1536-1601), Nowell's protégé and eventually the first editor of the Old English Laws, are key figures in Elizabethan historical discourses and in its political and literary society. Through their work, the period between the Germanic migrations and the Norman Conquest came to be regarded as a foundational time for Elizabethan England, overlapping with and contributing to contemporary debates on the shape of Elizabethan English language. Their studies took different strategies in demonstrating the role of early medieval history in Elizabethan national - even imperial - identity, while in Lambarde's legal writings Old English law codes become identical with the 'ancient laws' that underpinned contemporary common law. Their efforts contradict the assumption that Anglo-Saxon studies did not effectively participate in Tudor nationalism outside of Protestant polemic; instead, it was a vital part of making history 'English'. Their work furthers our understanding of both the history of medieval studies and the importance of early Anglo-Saxon studies to Tudor nationalism. Book jacket Frontcover 1 CONTENTS 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 Chapter 1 The Anglo-Saxonists and Their Books: Print, Manuscript, and the Circulation of Scholarship 12 PART I: ANGLO-SAXON TEXTS AND SIXTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLISH 38 Chapter 2 The Abcedarium Glossary: Sources and Methods of Nowell’s Old English Lexicography 40 Chapter 3 Inkhorns, Orthographers, and Antiquaries: Standardized English and the Dawn of Anglo-Saxon Studies 66 PART II: CHOROGRAPHIES AND THE PAST OF ENGLAND 96 Chapter 4 Somewhere in Time: The Abcedarium Place-Name Index 98 Chapter 5 Putting the Past in Place: Lambarde’s Alphabetical Description and Perambulation of Kent 131 Chapter 6 Images and Imaginings of England 159 PART III: OLD ENGLISH AND THE COMMON LAW 198 Chapter 7 ‘The Saxons, our Ancestors’: Ancient Law and Old English Laws 200 Conclusion: The Invention of Anglo-Saxon England 235 BIBLIOGRAPHY 239 INDEX 250 Backcover 258