Anglo-Norman history

• Feudalism means a specific social, economic and political system. It was the way of life in Western Europe during medieval period. As an important part of European life it controlled the politics, finance, government and society of the times. • First it flourished in France after the death of Emperor Charlemagne (814 A.D) and then spread to other parts of the continent. The predominance of Feudalism from 9th century to 14th century A.D. is otherwise known as 'Feudal Age'. • It reached its height in early 12th and 13th centuries and almost vanished towards the end of 15th century. Of course, by that time the word 'Feudalism' was not in vogue. • The lawyers and elites of 17th century had coined this word after proper analysis and review which later on became popular. Thus, Feudalism' was an expression of its time and condition. • The absence of a strong central authority carved out the path for the emergence of tiny states engaged in mutual fighting and jealousy. At this hour of crisis the Slavs, the Hungarians and the Muslims carried on incessant plundering and killing. • The rulers of these tiny states were unable and unfit to check the invaders or to provide security and safety to the subjects. They ruled only by name. The common people therefore, were worried about safety and security of life and property. • The deplorable socio-political condition of Europe was largely responsible for the emergence of 'Feudalism' that provided a welcome relief to the people from their insecured existence. • The kings were nominal heads. They had neither power nor money. This situation inspired the higher officials (who were appointed under Charlemagne's administration) like Margraves, Counts or Dukes to withdraw their allegiance to the weak rulers. With huge resources at their disposal, they built their own castles and battalions of army. • The common men, on the other hand, thought of getting protection from some strong authorities other than the king. Their insecure existence prompted them to accept these local powerful class of lords as their saviour.

In the margin of a manuscript containing a collection of Miaphysite ecclesiastical canons (CFMM 309, 8th-9th century, from the Church of the Forty Martyrs in Tur Abdin, Turkey), one finds a remarkable number of glosses of various kinds in both Greek and Syriac. This fact alone might not be surprising, were it not for the extent to which these same paratextual elements appear in other manuscripts containing the same legislative collection. Among these are at least two earlier manuscripts and a possible copy of CFMM 309, transmitting this tradition up to the 20th century. The recurrence of these glosses and the evident intentionality behind the compilation testify both to the link between the original Greek text and its Syriac translation and to a conscious process of cultural formalization. My chapter first analyzes the glosses’ typology and their role in the Greek-Syriac dialogue, then situates this operation within the broader dialectic between Byzantine law and West-Syrian Miaphysite identity formation in the late 7th century.

Le scellement des actes se caractérise par une très large ouverture sociale en Normandie, la coutume favorisant l’usage des sceaux par les paysans et les jeunes héritières pas encore mariées. Ainsi le duché offre une situation originale en matière de sceaux féminins : les paysannes possédaient des sceaux au même titre que les aristocrates. Cependant la possession d’un tel objet, loin d’effacer les hiérarchies, soulignait au contraire les rapports de domination sociale, territoriale, économique et genrée.
Si les sceaux féminins sont plus fréquents en Normandie que dans d’autres espaces français, le scellement était avant tout la mise en scène d’une domination des pères, maris, fils, clercs et religieux qui actaient souvent en leur nom propre et en celui des femmes. D’où l’importance de l’analyse du phénomène sigillaire féminin : la possession d’un sceau par une femme nuance son statut de dominé. La légende des sceaux féminins définissait les sigillantes à l’aune de leur statut marital (épouse de, veuve de, patronyme adopté du mari). Mais nombre de femmes mariées scellaient sans leur époux ou portait un nom qui leur était propre. Par ailleurs, revendiquer sa parenté avec le lignage d’un mari permettait d’asseoir son rang dans la société aristocratique, urbaine ou villageoise. Quant aux abbesses, certaines n’hésitaient pas à se dire abbesse dei gratia, comme le faisaient les rois ou les évêques.
Bien sûr, la domination sociale des élites féminines transparaissait dans l’emploi prestigieux du portrait sigillaire. Mais la qualité et la dimension des matrices montraient également la domination économique des aristocrates et de certaines abbesses, parfois des bourgeoises. A l’inverse, les sceaux de certaines bourgeoises, voire de dames de la petite noblesse ne les distinguaient guère des sceaux de paysannes, la charte seule fournissant leur qualité. Ainsi la domination sociale ne transparaît pas toujours sur l’objet, ou du moins l’objet met en lumière la diversité des situations économiques au sein d’un même groupe social. Enfin, la domination passait aussi par la diffusion territoriale des empreintes : les dames de la noblesse expédiaient au loin des actes scellés, en lien avec un patrimoine éparpillé au gré des origines et alliances, signe de l’importance de leur réseau familial, alors que les actes des paysannes demeuraient en Normandie.

A truly surprise find at this ancient Northamptonshire village in 2024. I had kind of anticipated remains of Iron Age or Romano-British rural occupation, but nothing in the way of late Anglo-Saxon burh defences!

This abridged version of the archaeological technical report presents all the nuts and bolts of the discovery, which came about whilst monitoring groundwork for a new teaching block in the playground of a mid-Victorian school. Subsequent research of the urban landscape throws light on the postulated extent of the defended settlement, the plan-form of which not only resembles that of other late Saxon burhs, particularly the so-called High Street-type, but encompasses the renowned Anglo-Saxon church tower and incorporates the undated ditched defensive earthwork known as the Berry Mount.

Subsequent research articles are to appear in the ‘Highlights’ section of Medieval Archaeology.

In the twelfth century, Arnulf, the seventh count of Guines, carried the title "the Guines de Gand" which literally meant "of Guines from Ghent", i.e. he was count of Guines but came from Ghent. The connection between Ghent and Guines began long before.

The concept of a Norman Conquest is largely erroneous  and was created in the belief that the "Nation State"  and Romantic Nationalism had always existed in the human psyche when in fact they were products of a 19th Century Romantic movement. This has led to a complete distortion of the evidence especially when combined with Norman propaganda and French national pride. This paper compares the recorded evidence with the romantic fictions encouraged by novelists and political zealots.

O presente trabalho visa apresentar algumas considerações acerca dos usos e significações da Tapeçaria de Bayeux, produzida após a Conquista Normanda da Inglaterra (1066) no contexto do século XIX. Produzida na abadia de Canterbury sob a comitência de Odo de Bayeux (c. 1030-1097), meio-irmão de Guilherme, o Conquistador (c. 1028-1087), o primeiro rei normando da Inglaterra, o têxtil apresenta, visualmente, um encadeamento de eventos concernentes ao processo da Conquista, dando principal ênfase à vitória de Guilherme sobre Haroldo II Godwinson (c. 1022-1066) durante a Batalha de Hastings – clímax dessa investida político-militar. No esteio das produções medievalistas do século XIX, os movimentos nacionalistas reinterpretaram e instrumentalizaram a Tapeçaria de Bayeux de modo a reforçar as identidades nacionais emergentes, bem como as alteridades que as caracterizavam.

The scholarship of high medieval warfare tends not to emphasize the contribution made by urban communities, regarding cities as the passive objects of military campaigning. This article shows that the inhabitants of medieval London, however, had emerged as an organized military community from an early date, and were regarded by contemporaries as unusually disciplined, effective, fighters.

A brief note on spelling and pronunciation I n this book, I have tried to be consistent in so far as avoiding Anglicization, so, for example, the use of þ, the thorn symbol, instead of the familiar 'th'. Wherever practical, I have used the spellings that are most authentic and widely accepted by Norse scholars. The Old Norse and Old English languages used letters that are no longer found in modern English. The most commonly used ones were: AE or lower case ae ('eye'), Ð or lower case ð (the 'th' in 'the'), Þ or lower case þ (the 'th' in 'thing'), and Ö or lower case ö (rounded form of 'ea' in 'earth'). The letter g is hard (as in 'go'), except before i, y, where it is like y (as in 'yeast'). The letter s is always surd. The letter j before a vowel is semi vocalic, as for example in Björn. Note that all personal and place names are stressed on the first syllable. The acute accent serves to mark long vowels, as for example in Knútr. I have not dropped the -r ending denoting the nominative singular ending for personal and place names, thus Haraldr not Harald. Nicknames are a common feature of Old Norse texts and these are given in the original throughout but when first encountered are translated when the meaning is clear and makes sense.

Nella Topographia Hibernica e nell’Expugnatio Hibernica, Giraldo Cambrense esplora l’incontro/scontro culturale e militare tra inglesi e irlandesi. Se da un lato, descrive il popolo irlandese come barbaro e selvaggio, dall’altro, delinea un progetto di assimi lazione politica da parte della corona inglese anche attraverso l’utilizzo di un ciclo il lustrativo autoriale – intessuto di mostra e mirabilia e fortemente connesso alla corpo reità dei soggetti – atto a riflettere la visione medievale dell’alterità e legittimare l’occu pazione coloniale. Giraldo crea una “scala di alterità” che contrappone il mondo civilizzato inglese ai barbari irlandesi, evidenziando il controllo militare e la conoscenza etnografica come strumenti di dominio politico.

This is a simplified set of rough notes describing a part of the great numerical code, which seeks to prove that British history (including De Excidio Britanniae (DEB), Bede, and various later works) was invented in its current form after 1140/1153. The one possible flaw in this theory is that I am not sure exactly how accurate Ptolemy's solar eclipse predictions were, which might be relevant if (e.g.) Bede was aware of the Almagest. I assume here that it would not have been possible for him or his contemporaries to predict the correct day, location (i.e. within Britain), and magnitude (totality) of solar eclipses with confidence centuries in advance.

This article examines the impact of the common law legal system on the development of law in Indonesia, focusing on how elements of the system have influenced national legal practice and theory. This study uses a qualitative approach through document analysis and literature studies related to the history of Indonesian law and legal practice in common law countries. The results of the study indicate that although Indonesia adheres to a civil law legal system, the influence of common law is visible in certain aspects, such as the principle of precedent, legal interpretation, and the application of customary law. In addition, this study also explores how the integration of common law elements can enrich the dynamics of Indonesian law, especially in the context of legal reform and the achievement of substantive justice. With a better understanding of this influence, it is hoped that recommendations can be produced for the development of a legal system that is more responsive and adaptive to the needs of society.

Die Familie De Clare war seit der Eroberung Englands 1066 eine der reichsten und bedeutendsten Familien des Landes. Ihr Besitzschwerpunkt lag im Süden von Wales und umfasste vor allem die Grafschaft Glamorgan. Die Könige verliehen der Familie die Earldoms von Pembroke (1138-1230), Hertford (1140-1314) und Gloucester (1180-1314).
Bis zum Aussterben im Mannesstamm 1314 waren die De Clares über weite Strecken in alle wichtigen politischen Ereignisse eingebunden und oft auch maßgeblich an ihnen beteiligt. Dazu gehören vor allem die Kriegszüge Eduards I. und Eduards II. zur Niederschlagung von Aufständen in Wales und Schottland. Eine der größten erhaltenen mittelalterlichen Burgen in Großbritannien, Caerphilly Castle, zeugt bis heute vom Einfluss dieses Geschlechts auf die Geschicke von England und Wales.

Schwerpunkte dieser Arbeit sind:
Herkunft und Abstammung der Famile
Wichtigste Vertreter und deren politische Bedeutung
Beziehungen und Auseinandersetzungen zwischen normannischen und walisischen Herrschaftsträgern
Kriegszüge Eduards I nach Wales
Burgenbau und Herrschaftsanspruch König Eduards I

Die Besitzgeschichte der Familie wird nicht ausführlich behandelt

Atlas of Arthurian Romances and Plantagenet Political Myth explores the Historia Regum Britanniae as well as other parts of the Arthurian Saga as a reflection of Plantagenet political anxieties following Henry I’s 1135 death and the Anarchy.

Through textual, historical, and cartographic analysis, it reveals how motifs of inheritance as well as the Grail as Empress Matilda’s claim allegorize the era’s succession crises.

Manuscript marginalia, paratexts, and illuminations amplify these themes, while a collection of GIS Maps traces Arthurian geographies—Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Britain, Welsh Mabinogion sites, and potential Plantagenet analogs like Reading Abbey as Camelot.

The study highlights patronage and legal discourses shaping these narratives as tools for dynastic legitimation and cultural memory.

Appendices provide encoded figures and timelines, framing Arthurian myth as a dynamic mirror of medieval political realities.

This article reinterprets Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae as a sophisticated act of dynastic mythmaking, designed to fortify Plantagenet legitimacy in twelfth-century England. Blending methods from literary analysis, medieval historiography, and political theology, the study traces how the Arthurian legend transforms historical memory into ideological narrative. Central to the analysis is the reframing of Merlin from Celtic seer to a construct rooted in the legendary figure of Cnut the Great; Arthur and Uther are similarly recast as echoes of Henry I and William the Conqueror. The narrative’s focus on hereditary right, dynastic symbolism—especially the dragon as a marker of Viking and Norman power—and the iconic test of the sword in the stone, are argued to encode pressing anxieties over succession, legitimacy, and civil disorder. By dissecting the ways Geoffrey’s text weaponizes myth to address contemporary traumas—most notably The Anarchy—this article reveals the Historia as a foundational instrument of royal legitimation and nation-building, where the politics of succession are refracted through the enduring lens of British myth.

Finetta Finet (1626-1710) was one of the daughters of Sir John Finet, traveller and, latterly, Master of the Ceremonies at the court of Charles I, and Jane Wentworth, daughter of Henry Wentworth, 3rd Baron Wentworth. Her long life  bridged the worlds of "Court" and"Country", though neither by manner nor motive did her personal transition accord with the model that has so fixated modern historians of seventeenth century England. Her will reveals the last of her social circles, drawn largely from north Oxfordshire and south Northamptonshire, though it contains references to her aristocratic kin, the Popes and the Norths. Her attachment to the Church is also evident, as is her closeness to Samuel Bradford, later bishop of Rochester, and to a group of related clerics who espoused the moral renewal of the Church, post 1689. Though Finetta Finet has escaped the attentions of historians, it is clear that she was widely known in her own time and that to her contemporaries she was a woman who commanded attention and respect.

The Monti Aurunci Regional Park, located in southern Lazio, Italy, is renowned for its geological and naturalistic features as well as its archaeological significance. This area hosts a wealth of archaeological sites covering from pre-Roman and Roman periods to the modern
era, many of which remain largely unexplored. These sites are currently being investigated as part of the Monti Aurunci Project (MAP, https://www.archeologiadiffusa.org/2022/09/17/map/), an initiative led by the University for Foreigners of Siena. Among the notable sites in this region is the multi-layered and abandoned hillfort known as ‘Le Mura di Campello’. However, dense forest cover significantly hinders the identification, interpretation, and mapping of archaeological remains in the area. Furthermore, the lack or low quality of existing datasets limits their usability for archaeological purposes. To address these challenges, a drone-based LiDAR survey was conducted in the winter of 2023, yielding high-resolution data that has proven invaluable for archaeological analysis. With an average point density of 142 points
per square meter, the LiDAR data facilitated the identification of numerous archaeological features, enriching the understanding of the Monti Aurunci’s cultural heritage. Over 100 previously undocumented features were mapped, including terracing systems, hillforts, dwellings, walls, and road system. The results obtained have refined our understanding of the historical settlement dynamics in the Monti Aurunci area and opened the door to new methodological
approaches, offering promising future research directions.

This thesis examines aspects of hunting in later medieval Ireland, with particular reference to the Anglo-Norman period, from 1169 to c. 1350. The focus is on deer hunting and on parks, in which fallow deer could be kept. To date no detailed study of hunting in high medieval Ireland has been carried out, and as a result the study uses an interdisciplinary approach in order to maximise the scope of coverage. The aim of this thesis is to understand how parks and deer hunting were used to create and maintain identities, and how these functioned as a form of social and cultural expression in high medieval Ireland. Deer hunting was central to elite society, having symbolic significance, as well as developing military skills and forging social bonds. Fallow deer were unusual, but not rare in later medieval Ireland. They were limited to the east of the country and to the highest tier of Anglo-Norman lordly society, being relatively common finds from castle excavations. Notably, the evidence suggests that the bones of all species of wild mammals are much less frequently found on Irish castle sites than on English elite sites. The study identifies thirty-nine documented high medieval parks, and includes detailed examination of five of these. All thirty-nine were in Anglo-Norman areas, with no high medieval parks found in Gaelic Ireland. Today, the parks have been forgotten, however survey has shown that physical features do survive at the sites of many of those surveyed. Parks were integral to Anglo-Norman identity, being used to create a sense of place and familiarity in a foreign land. Unlike England, however, they did not become widespread, and few were stocked with deer. There are a large number of people who I would like to thank for their help in undertaking this thesis, as it would not have been possible without them. Firstly, there is my supervisor, Kieran O'Conor, of NUI Galway, who has been excellent in guiding me through the process. I thank him for our interesting and useful discussions and for his knack of keeping me focused on the primary aims of the project. I must also thank Stefan Bergh, Sam Moore and Rory Sherlock for their comments on draft material, again keeping me on the straight and narrow.

This thesis examines aspects of hunting in later medieval Ireland, with particular reference to the Anglo-Norman period, from 1169 to c. 1350. The focus is on deer hunting and on parks, in which fallow deer could be kept. To date no detailed study of hunting in high medieval Ireland has been carried out, and as a result the study uses an interdisciplinary approach in order to maximise the scope of coverage. The aim of this thesis is to understand how parks and deer hunting were used to create and maintain identities, and how these functioned as a form of social and cultural expression in high medieval Ireland. Deer hunting was central to elite society, having symbolic significance, as well as developing military skills and forging social bonds. Fallow deer were unusual, but not rare in later medieval Ireland. They were limited to the east of the country and to the highest tier of Anglo-Norman lordly society, being relatively common finds from castle excavations. Notably, the evidence suggests that the bones of all species of wild mammals are much less frequently found on Irish castle sites than on English elite sites. The study identifies thirty-nine documented high medieval parks, and includes detailed examination of five of these. All thirty-nine were in Anglo-Norman areas, with no high medieval parks found in Gaelic Ireland. Today, the parks have been forgotten, however survey has shown that physical features do survive at the sites of many of those surveyed. Parks were integral to Anglo-Norman identity, being used to create a sense of place and familiarity in a foreign land. Unlike England, however, they did not become widespread, and few were stocked with deer. There are a large number of people who I would like to thank for their help in undertaking this thesis, as it would not have been possible without them. Firstly, there is my supervisor, Kieran O'Conor, of NUI Galway, who has been excellent in guiding me through the process. I thank him for our interesting and useful discussions and for his knack of keeping me focused on the primary aims of the project. I must also thank Stefan Bergh, Sam Moore and Rory Sherlock for their comments on draft material, again keeping me on the straight and narrow.

officially associated with any museum, institution, or custodial body responsible for the Bayeux Tapestry or related artifacts. All interpretations, analyses, and hypotheses presented herein-especially those relating to symbolic mapping, regional animal motifs, and speculative iconographic correlations-reflect the author's academic perspective and are intended to stimulate further research and discussion. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of historical information, this work includes theoretical reconstructions and symbolic readings that may not represent the consensus view of the academic community. Images used in this publication, including modified maps and representations of artifacts, are either in the public domain or used under fair academic and educational use principles. Where applicable, sources are credited. The content is provided for educational, research, and informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and peer-reviewed literature to form their own judgments. No legal responsibility is accepted for any loss or consequence arising from the use or misuse of the information presented. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise-without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews or scholarly discussion.

This short paper briefly explores the pivotal role of Christianity as the ideological and unifying force during the Reconquista, the centuries-long Christian effort to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Islamic rule. Far from a mere territorial conflict, the Reconquista was deeply rooted in a shared Christian mission that transcended political fragmentation among Iberian kingdoms. Beginning with Pelayo’s resistance at Covadonga and culminating in the final conquest of Granada in 1492, Christian identity fostered cohesion, galvanized military campaigns, and shaped emerging notions of Spanish national unity. The study examines the interplay of religious propaganda, papal endorsement of crusading, and local political dynamics that collectively forged a national Christian consciousness. Ultimately, the paper argues that Christianity was not just a background belief but the very foundation upon which Iberian political and cultural unity was built.

Cet essai analyse la condition des paysans en Normandie entre le VIIe et le XIe siècle, une période marquée par des transformations politiques et sociales majeures. Avant l'établissement des Normands en 911, la région (alors Neustrie) manquait de cohésion identitaire. L'étude souligne la difficulté d'analyser la société paysanne médiévale en raison de la rareté des sources écrites, les paysans étant largement illettrés. L'essai explore l'évolution du servage, contestant l'idée de Marc Bloch d'une Normandie exempte de servitude et mettant en lumière le rôle central de l'Église comme propriétaire terrien. Les invasions vikings du IXe siècle bouleversent les structures agraires mais ouvrent des espaces de négociation pour les communautés rurales. À partir de 911, les ducs normands centralisent le pouvoir, instaurent un système féodal original et opèrent un syncrétisme des pratiques agraires scandinaves et carolingiennes. Malgré l'émergence d'une seigneurie banale contraignante après l'an mil, les paysans développent des stratégies de résistance (révoltes, assemblées clandestines). L'archéologie funéraire atteste d'une culture paysanne persistante malgré la malnutrition et la mortalité infantile. En conclusion, le « miracle normand » repose sur un paradoxe : la réussite politique et militaire des ducs s'appuie sur l'exploitation mais aussi la résilience d'un monde paysan dont la contribution reste souvent invisibilisée. L'étude s'appuie sur des sources variées : chartes monastiques, polyptyques, données archéologiques et chroniques médiévales.

This paper examines the De expugnatione Lyxbonensi as an example of Latin Christian engagement with Islamic beliefs in the mid-twelfth century, within the context of the Toledo translation movement. Historiography generally agrees that the author was likely an Anglo-Norman participant in the siege, either in Portugal or shortly after his return to England, between 1147 and 1170. The author’s extensive knowledge of Islamic polemical views on Christianity suggests he was acquainted with the recently translated Latin version of the Qur’an, produced by his fellow Anglo-Norman, Robert of Ketton, at the behest of the Cluniac abbot Peter the Venerable. Alternatively, he may have been familiar with other texts compiled under Peter’s direction, such as the Apology of al-Kindī and related works by converso Peter Alfonsi, and perhaps indirectly, the polemical writings of the Andalusi Muslim polymath Ibn Ḥazm.  The author of the text portrays the Muslim defenders of Lisbon as worthy adversaries whose misguided faith was not entirely alien to Christian belief, suggesting they could be converted. This reflects the views of the Cluniac abbot Peter the Venerable, who advocated for the conversion of Muslims through rational argument. This paper examines the De expugnatione Lyxbonensi within this innovative Cluniac vision of the Crusading movement and its relevance to contemporary efforts to engage with Islamic theology, science, and philosophy during the Twelfth-Century Renaissance.

Artykuł prezentuje interesujący i nieznany jeszcze typ pieczęci Gisulfa, byłego ostatniego longobardzkiego princepsa Salerno, wikariusza w Republice Amalfi oraz duksa (dux, duca, doge – doża?) Vic(arius) e(t) Dux. Pieczęć można dokładnie datować na krótki okres: od 1 marca 1088 a przed 20 kwietnia 1089 r. Część inskrypcji (etnikon): REI(publica) AMALP(hitana), lub REI(publika) MARIN(era Amalphitana) potwierdza, że Gisulfio znalazł poparcie amalfitańskich republikanów, przeciwników zwierzchnictwa normańskiego. Przez ten okres jego siostra Sighelgaita, jako księżna wdowa po Robercie Guiscardzie, a matka następcy tronu, mogła przyhamować natychmiastowe przeciwdziałanie jej syna Rogera Borsy, księcia Apulii i Kalabrii, jak to już uczyniła w 1077 r. w trakcie oblężenia Salerno. Inskrypcja pieczęci wymaga jeszcze dalszej analizy.
Półpostać brodatego świętego z kluczem w ręku i siglami identyfikują przedstawioną postać jako świętego Piotra. Wprawdzie główny patron Amalfi, to św. Andrzej (starszy brat św. Piotra), ale republika utrzymywała bardzo silne związki z Rzymem, gdzie przechowywane były relikwie świętego Piotra i Pawła. Gisulfio został wybrany na najwyższą funkcję w Amalfi dzięki poparciu jednego z papieży, cesarza niemieckiego i basileusa Romanii.
Użycie skrótów literowych (sigla): łacińskiego i greckiego, wynikała z przeznaczenia pieczęci. Kierowano ją do dwujęzycznej ludności Amalfi i całego regionu. Podstawowy trzon inskrypcji został zapisany krojem pisma - majuskułą, a dokładnie - capitalis rustica. Ten krój, pomimo rozwoju nowych form pisma - minuskuły, stosowany był przez kancelarie do IX w., a później do XII w. wykorzystywano go już tylko do tytułów i autora (incipit) i nagłówków (explicite). Zastosowano charakterystyczny znak abrewiacyjny skrócenia:  wskazujący, że tylko pierwsze litery słowa zostały wypisane, a jakieś końcowe zostały pominięte), potwierdzony na dokumentach np. papieża Aleksandra (1061-1073) i Grzegorza VII (1073-1085) oraz pieczęciach papieskich od co najmniej Innocentego II (1130-1143 ). Wcześniej stosowano znak:  -.

The Monastery had been associated with the killing of Prince Rhys ap Tewdwr of Deheubarth in the Lordship of Glynrhondda, fomenting a well-known chain of events that  saw the overthrow of the Welsh in what we now know as Glamorgan, establishing a Norman Lordship of that name in its place.
The Importance of the Monastery of Penrhys and the Norman Conquest of Glamorgan, and of Pant-y-Brâd, on the outskirts of Tonyrefail, relates also to the downfall of King Edward II and Hugh Despencer, Lord of Glamorgan, in the right of his wife, Eleanor de Clare, niece of the king.

This essay discusses The  Hebrew word log and the personal name Serayah, both of which are etymologically related to ancient Egypt. Hebrew log is well known as a liquid measure in the Old Testament (Lev r4:ro, etc.). However, the etymology has long been an enigma. Muchiki has investigated other occurrences of the unit of measure in Aramaic, Ugaritic, and Coptic texts, and established that Hebrew log originated from Egyptian ʾrq, which became rq in the later period, and was borrowed by several Semitic languages. The second subject he discusses is the identification of a foreign official whose name Serayah is found among the men in David's administration. He has confirmed that the name is Egyptian and probably the hypocoristicon of Egyptian śš3.t. This fact proves that the most advanced writing techniques were fully imported in ancient Israel 1ooo BC, so writing appears to have been fairly common in David's times.

This study uses two baronial families: the de Lacy Barons of Pontefract and de Vescy Barons of Alnwick as a lens through which to examine wider identity within the regions. Previous work has generally taken a wider focus on the whole region, or over a longer period. This innovative approach to investigating wider identity will provide a framework for further comparative work in England’s borderlands. This thesis will provide an important study on local, regional and national identities in a period crucial to identity development in northern England. The two families at the centre of this study are also overdue a re-examination, with the last major
study on the Pontefract branch of the de Lacy family being carried out by W.E. Wightman in the 1960s. While meticulous in his assessment of landholding, Wightman was not particularly concerned with identity, and consequently his study ends some years short of major events considered by this thesis. Similarly, the de Vescy family has received relatively little attention, aside from Keith Stringer’s 1999 chapter examining the family from a transnational perspective. This project is able to build on this work to examine the barons of Alnwick in more detail. The project examines identity at a number of levels, dealing with both individual and group identity throughout. This is achieved by looking at familial identity, social identity and religious benefactions, political identity both within the honour and within the wider regnal community, and examining the relationship between these baronial families and Scotland given their position in a borderland. Woven throughout this analysis is the argument that there is a sense of ‘two Norths’, as Yorkshire became more integrated into the Kingdom of England during this period, while Northumberland remained a more active and hybrid frontier zone. Despite these differences, both regions clearly continued to form England’s borderland with Scotland.

Il contributo si offre come proposta metodologica ai fini della valorizzazione delle collezioni diocesane partendo dall’esperienza della mostra “Constancia. Donne al potere nell’impero mediterraneo di Federico II”, curata dagli autori, insieme alla prof. Maria Concetta Di Natale, all’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di New York nel 2022.
Il testo illustra il percorso che ha condotto all’elaborazione del progetto curatoriale, a partire dall’ottavo centenario della morte di Costanza d’Aragona cui sono state correlate altre tre Costanza rispettivamente madre, figlia e nipote di Federico II di Svevia, offrendo così un originale taglio al femminile e un resoconto delle quattro donne al potere.
Si descrivono, dunque, i temi e i contenuti delle due sale espositive nelle quali sono state portate in mostra, con la collaborazione di importanti istituzioni culturali ecclesiastiche, regionali e comunali e di collezioni private tra Palermo e Monreale e oltre, opere dall’XI al XIX secolo d’arte pittorica, di diplomatica, codici miniati, paliotti, monete, insieme ad alcuni manufatti del celeberrimo corredo funebre di Costanza d’Aragona.
A quest’ultimo si è accompagnata l’esposizione per la prima volta dell’inedita gemma di quarzo proveniente dal sepolcro dell’Imperatore Federico II.
Si spiega inoltre la ragione della sezione sul Revival ottocentesco che ha visto anche la messa in mostra di due pezzi inediti provenienti da collezioni private, un dipinto dei Vespri e un cofanetto in osso, legati alla quarta Costanza di Svevia, moglie di Pietro il Grande d’Aragona, scelto dai siciliani quale re di Sicilia in seguito ai Vespri del 1282.

This article aims to explore the key question: What new tactics did the Normans introduce in Italy? What made their approach to warfare so innovative or radical that they became a sought-after military force for various geopolitical players in the region and, ultimately, managed to overcome all opposition within just a few decades of their arrival in Apulia? I will assess the myth of Norman battlefield invincibility and examine their most formidable tactical weapon—the cavalry charge—through case studies of battles such as Civitate (1053), Olivento (1041), Dyrrachium (1081), Ioannina/Arta (1082), and Larissa (1083).

Prepared for inclusion in Domesday to America, Volume II-by Patrick A. Payne A reevaluation of Payne family records from Norfolk and Suffolk has brought to light new evidence that the long-assumed extinct line of Thomas Payne of Itteringham and Elizabeth Boleyn may in fact have continued-through both documented descendants and a newly recognized cadet branch. At the heart of this rediscovery is Drew Payne, born circa 1568, identified in a 1589-90 petition to Queen Elizabeth I as the son of Elizabeth Bullen (Boleyn), daughter of Sir Edward Bullen. Drew petitioned the Crown for a reversion lease in recognition of his military service in the Low Countries-a request granted by Sir Thomas Heneage, one of the Queen's most senior courtiers. This single document proves two things: 1. Drew Payne descended directly from the Boleyn family, likely making him a distant cousin of Anne Boleyn, Queen of England. 2. The Payne-Boleyn bloodline did not die out in the 16th century as previously believed.

Domesday to America, Volume II: The Colonization of America and the Great Companies of London
by Patrick Allen Payne

This volume continues the investigative trajectory of Domesday to America, tracing the genealogical and historical journey of the Payne family from medieval England to colonial America. Focusing on the 16th and 17th centuries, the work explores the extensive commercial, political, and familial networks that influenced the migration of the Paynes and their allied families. Drawing on thousands of primary sources—including Patent Rolls, wills, Visitations, maritime records, and proprietary land grants—this study presents a fully referenced, narrative-based lineage that situates the Paynes within the merchant elite, religious reform circles, and the administrative apparatus of the early modern Atlantic world.

Key themes include the role of the Virginia and Bermuda Companies, the socio-political impact of the Earl of Southampton’s patronage, and deep genealogical ties between the Paynes of Leicestershire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Jersey, and Gloucestershire with major colonial agents such as Sir Walter Ralegh, Sir Francis Drake, Thomas Smythe, and Capt. Ralph Lane. Special attention is given to figures such as Henry Payne of the Sea Venture, Francis Payne, a formerly enslaved man who purchased his freedom in Maryland, and the contested ancestry of early Virginia settlers like John Payne of Westmoreland County.

The volume provides a compelling reassessment of the so-called “Lost Colony” at Roanoke, proposing that the presence of Henry and Rose Payne in the 1587 voyage suggests interrelated colonial planning among gentry families. This work bridges documentary genealogy and Atlantic history, arguing that the Payne family’s story exemplifies the entanglement of kinship, enterprise, and empire during the colonization of North America. Heavily annotated and richly contextualized, this volume serves both as a genealogical case study and a model for lineage-based historical scholarship.

Domesday to America: Introduction to a Genealogical and Dynastic Inquiry into the PAYNE Family and Their Norman Origins
Patrick A. Payne

This introductory volume of the Domesday to America Project sets the stage for a sweeping prosopographical investigation into the Payne family, tracing its origins from pre-Conquest Normandy through England, Ireland, and into the Anglo-colonial world. Through deep historical and genealogical analysis, the work argues that the Paynes—under variant spellings such as Payn, Paynel, Pagan, Fitz-Payn, and Paganel—did not constitute isolated surname clusters but rather formed a multi-century dynastic network. This network was bound by landholding, royal service, marriage alliances, and embedded social functions within both noble and merchant classes.

The author challenges long-standing assumptions that these families are unconnected and instead proposes that many Paynes descended from pre-Conquest Romanized or Celtic families native to Normandy—families that were "Normanized" rather than Viking in origin. The manuscript traces possible ancestral lines from the Roman pagus structure, linking these to families known by names like Paganus, Paynel, and Fitz-Payn, and demonstrates their recurrent presence in Domesday Book and subsequent English administrative, ecclesiastical, and military records.

With a focus on figures such as Ranulf the Moneyer, Payn de Roet (father-in-law of Geoffrey Chaucer and associated with John of Gaunt), and the 14th-century Chief Butler of England, John Payn, the work establishes the foundation for understanding the Paynes not only as retainers but as participants in transgenerational networks that bridged England’s aristocratic, clerical, and commercial worlds. The study incorporates evidence from medieval charters, land grants, DNA surname projects (R1b), and manuscript custodianship to substantiate the continuity of Payne influence.

This introduction presents the guiding hypothesis that the Paynes functioned within a tightly intermarried circle of families—Butler, Fitz-John, Lacy, Clare, Tiptoft, Chaucer, and others—whose descendants helped populate and shape the early Atlantic colonies. Rather than seeing their name as a coincidence of language, the Domesday to America Project approaches the Payne surname as a dynastic signature, one that encodes the story of a forgotten but vital political, religious, and economic lineage stretching from Normandy to the founding of America.