English History

Human has attached great importance to dreams. Dreamer is always
eager to know the real message of the dream. Dreams are
considered the means to predict the future and devise cures for the
ill in the past. Humans are more inclined to the tradition of
interpretation of dreams and plan different events of life according
to dreams. Especially Kashmiri Muslim society is overmuch inclined
to the elucidation of the dreams. There are contrasting statements,
theories and hypotheses trying to prove the real meaning and origin
of dreams.

Published in: Homage to Academician Desanka Kovačević Kojić. Trade, Mining, Settlements, and Politics in Medieval and Early Modern Southeastern Europe, ur. Vladeta Petrović. Belgrade: The Institute of History, 2025, 283–305.

The paper presents a transcription of seven previously unpublished letters sent by the Venetian patrician and merchant Guglielmo Querini (1400–1468) to his business associate Ieronimo Malipiero in Bosnia between June 1443 and April 1447. The letters were already known to historians, primarily through the works of Gino Luzzatto, Desanka Kovačević­-Kojić and Marko Šunjić, but were mostly treated only in passing, in line with the research interests of the authors at the time. In addition to the letters and a brief commentary on their content, this text will also present readers with the basic biographical information about Querini and his business ventures, both in Bosnia and beyond.

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.

La presente tesis se centra en el problema de la integración matrimonial de los inmigrantes daneses y sus descendientes en la ciudad de Tandil. De este modo, se abordarán sus estrategias de adaptación a la sociedad local, específicamente para el período 1922-1975. El trabajo se sitúa, temporalmente, en el ciclo inmediatamente posterior al flujo de las grandes masas migratorias, obedeciendo a la voluntad de arrojar un mayor conocimiento (tanto teórico como empírico) sobre una época no analizada para el caso tandilense.

Like a ship navigating shifting tides, the word Anglo-Saxon has been carried across time and space by the currents of history, ideology, and cultural interpretation. This collection of essays explores the evolving significance of the term, revealing how it has been constructed, contested, and reimagined from the early medieval period to the present day. Bringing together perspectives from history, literature, archaeology, and political thought from a non-Anglophone perspective, the contributors examine how Anglo-Saxon has been used to shape national identities, scholarly traditions, and social narratives across Europe.

From medieval chronicles to modern political discourse, this volume uncovers the many lives of a term that continues to spark debate. Addressed to scholars, students, and anyone interested in the power of historical narratives, this work invites us to reconsider not just a label, but the broader questions of heritage, identity, and belonging that it represents.

Classical mythology has long served as a foundational narrative structure within Western literature, often framing women through reductive patriarchal archetypes-witches, monsters, obedient wives, or tragic victims. In recent decades, however, feminist writers and scholars have increasingly engaged in a radical reinterpretation of these myths, transforming them into acts of narrative resistance. This study explores how contemporary feminist retellings of classical myths reconfigure ancient narratives to reclaim female voice, agency, and subjectivity. Focusing on literary texts such as Madeline Miller's Circe, Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, and Natalie Haynes's Stone Blind, the research analyzes how mythic women-once silenced-are reimagined through strategies of narrative focalization, intertextual revision, and trauma representation. These novels, far from merely offering alternative perspectives, challenge the ideological scaffolding of classical texts and expose the gendered violence embedded within them. Additionally, the paper examines feminist reinterpretations across visual media, including Japanese manga, modern dance, and graphic novels, to highlight how cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches extend the scope of mythic subversion. The analysis is grounded in feminist literary theory, ecofeminism, and intersectionality, revealing how these retellings participate in broader cultural movements such as #MeToo and decolonial critique. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that feminist myth-making is not just a literary act but a political one-redefining myth as a dynamic site of resistance, memory, and reimagination.

In this article a manuscript from the Cambridge University Library, viz.: La estoire de Sainte Aedward Ie Rei is discussed with particular reference to its authorship and its possible date of manufacture as well as highlighting its special insights into the nature of medieval kingship.

La tesis se centra en el problema de la integración matrimonial los inmigrantes daneses, y sus descendientes en la ciudad de Tandil. De este modo, se abordarán sus estrategias de adaptación a la sociedad local, específicamente para el período 192 2-1975. El trabajo se sitúa, temporalmente, en el ciclo inmediatamente posterior al flujo de las grandes masas, obedeciendo a la voluntad de arrojar un mayor conocimiento (tanto teórico, como empírico) sobre una época no analizada para el caso tandilense. Por otra parte, la comunidad danesa de la ciudad de Tandil ha sido excluida en relación a la cantidad de trabajos existentes para los casos franceses, españoles o italianos de grandes estudios anteriores que abordan el proceso de integración matrimonial de los inmigrantes.

This Dissertation is dedicated to my grandfather Joseph, who without his enthusiasm for history, I would never have had the drive to pursue this career. and My mother Fiona, who I watched struggle with the task of studying whilst raising three children. You have given me the courage to know that I can also raise and care for my children without losing myself in the process.

Relation of that which Jhon Dury hath prosecuted in the worke of Ecclesiasticall Pacification in Germany apparently did not reach Laud until 23 November, 1632 according to a note to this effect on the House of Lord's original version. However, this work appears to have been copied by Durie and others in slightly different versions and sent to various prominent people, probably during the first weeks of Durie's brief sojourn in England. One version was published by Charles A. Briggs in the Presbyterian Review for April 1887 (New York and Edinburgh) but Briggs never revealed where this document was to be found. Another is preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Durie quickly secured an interview with Laud and wrote to Thomas Roe from Westminster on 17 th December 1633, telling him that he had already briefed Laud on three topics concerning the state of the Protestant churches in Germany with a desire: '1. to show the state of their differences and subdivisions as well in Doctrine as affection and Church discipline one from another and amongst themselves. 3. and lastly to show their changeable conditions and y:t to agree them and to confirm their agreement a new government may be erected amongst them, and an uniformitie of divine service brought in, wherin they much differ.' 1 Durie now consulted Secretaries of State, Sir Francis Windebank, suspected of being a Crypto-Romanist and Sir John Coke, a noted Puritan and senior member of the Privy Council.

Before reading: I am writing without a strict framework and under my professor's instructions.

Richard III already has this air of macabre impression, yet the distorted and dramatized narrative that surrounded the monarch mainly favored the moments of his kingship and his seizure of the English throne, but rarely delved into the nuances of his personal life, overlooking his youth and formative days as the Duke of Gloucester—“The Lord of the North”. This historical profile aims to present a comprehensive look into Richard III before the crown and beyond the historical calumny. By examining the relationships, less-explored personal interests, and his utmost dedication to governing the North, a more complex figure will emerge, one that would challenge the two-dimensional textbook villain in tales of old. A figure that will ultimately prove monumental to the end of the Middle Ages and its pivotal turn to Early Modern England.

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 foundational elements of England's identity through the intertwined legacies of Aethelstan, the first King of England, and Bede, the 7th-century monk and historian. Aethelstan is celebrated for his political achievements in unifying various kingdoms into a centralized state during the early 10th century, characterized by military conquests and strategic alliances. In contrast, Bede's scholarly contributions, particularly his influential work Ecclesiastical History of the English People, provide a rich narrative that explores the cultural and spiritual dimensions of English identity. While Aethelstan's reign established political unity, Bede's writings fostered a cohesive narrative that transcended tribal divisions, emphasizing shared beliefs and values that define what it means to be English. Bede's groundbreaking approach to historical writing, his emphasis on Christianity as a unifying force, and his ability to articulate the moral and ethical framework of society are highlighted as key factors in the formation of national identity. Ultimately, the article posits that Bede's contributions are pivotal in understanding England's cultural and spiritual landscape, positioning him as the true father of England alongside Aethelstan. By reflecting on their legacies, the article underscores the importance of storytelling in shaping collective identity and offers insights into the complexities of nationhood, unity, and community in contemporary society.

This paper examines the visit by Sigismund of Luxemburg, King of the Romans and King of Hungary, to England in the spring and early summer of 1416 in the course his travels in western Europe in the cause of peace-making and Church reform. It examines the challenges and opportunities that a visit by the ruler of the Empire presented for Henry V of England and his government, and how they responded, including the detailed provisions made for the king and his retinue. It also explores the perspectives of the visitors, via accounts from Sigismund's circle, to gain insight into their understanding of key events during the visit (such as Sigismund's investiture as a companion of the Garter). The paper argues that neither side fully understood the implications and consequences of the visit at the time, and that the memory in England of Sigismund's stay tended to shift and to be reinscribed over the course of the fifteenth century.

To understand history, it important to employ methods that do not focus primarily on uncovering historical events, but rather on understanding a society’s mentality, culture, and ways of thinking. This research concentrates on ghost stories originating in the early 15th century from the Cistercian monastery in Byland, Yorkshire, with particular attention being paid to the form and transformation of these supernatural beings. These stories contain elements from both theology and folk tradition, ofering insights into the imagination of medieval people.
This research investigates the appearances and shape-shifting abilities of ghosts. Even though extensive study of the sources can only reveal a community’s mentality in a specifc time and place—and even then, only a narrow slice of its imaginative world—the signifcance of such micro-level studies should not be underestimated. They al-low for a better understanding of the manifestations of folk religion, the relationship between Christianity and folklore, and the mindset and concepts of the afterlife held by everyday individuals.

Archbishop George Abbot, with the Bishop of London, William Laud, at his side, lent a favourable ear to Durie's plans and both soon captivated by his charm, faith and great sincerity. It was not long before they, backed by a number of Men of Letters, scientists and manufacturers, decided to support the idea of a pan-Protestant and pan-European Church and also Durie's reforms concerning universal knowledge and educating ministerial candidates interested them greatly. Laud was already acting as Abbott's independent spokesman as the Archbishop was in disfavour having accidentally killed a man in a hunting accident which his many opponents felt disqualified him from the office of Archbishop. To make sure he had enough credentials to give him a good reception on the Continent, Durie published two works: his Instrumentum Theologorum Anglorum and Problemata de Pacis Ecclesiasticae Consiliis Capescendis, sending copies to the leading men in Church and State of the day. 1 It was a work which found support throughout the British churches whether amongst the Episcopalians or budding Presbyterians, Independents and Baptists. Thus, Durie received supporting signatures from leading churchmen such as Richard Sibbes,

This timeline chronicles the life of Robin M. Westman, born Robert Paul Westman, who carried out a tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others before dying by suicide.

In a lengthy caption to a contemporary picture depicting the annexing of Elbing from Poland in Hjalmar Holmquist's classical study of the period, the Swedish historian explains that John Durie was already in the city when Gustav took it. 1 In Durie's Brief Relation, published in 1641, his editor, agent and friend, Samuel Hartlib, a former citizen of Elbing, shows that Durie had worked privately as a messenger of peace between Danzig and Elbing and won the clergy and Swedes over to his irenic ideas of Protestant unity. Furthermore, when James Spens, a kinsman of Durie's 2 wrote to Chancellor Oxenstierna from London in November 1626, he told him that there was a Scotsman in Elbing who had plans for peace terms with Danzig and ideas concerning the possibility of transferring the Elbing trade to Danzig which were worth considering. 3 In the light of what Hartlib and Spens write, this appears to be a reference to Durie who was often called upon by Spens to serve as his secretary because of his fluency in Latin and French, the languages of diplomacy. Durie also wrote in a fine clear hand. Spens, Lord of Wormiston, who was knighted by James VI, was one of the famous Adventurers of Fife alongside Robert Durie who colonised the island of Lewis and married into the Durie family. One of Spens daughters married a Ramsey, a family also closely related to the Duries. Spens served as a mediator between the Swedish powers and the Stuart kings, and was made Baron of Orreholmen by Gustav II Adolf for his services to Sweden. Durie had quickly realised that the future of the Elbing church was endangered because trade was interrupted through political unrest and most of Gustav's soldiers, who now formed the bulk of 1 Holmquist, p. 197. 2 Birthdate unknown. Died in 1632. The Spens, the Ramseys and the Anstruthers who come into this story were all closely related to the Duries. 3 Relinquendo verba inania, haec sunt, quae Scotus a me petit, vt in me suscipere velim Sacrae Regiae Maiestatis partim determinatum intentum partim suspectum contra ciuitatem Dantiscum ad amicam reconciliationem reducere. Qua in re (si successerit) gloriam et laudem acquirere potes ab omnibus, qui intellecturi sunt hanc piam et pacificam concordiam per te fuisse factam, et ab ciuitate Dantiscano gratias et praemium expectare potes, cum per me intellexerint rem vestro labore in effectum reductam esse. Riksarkiv.

This biography is unfinished owing to my age, invalidity and very bad eyesight. I have been working on it for many years and traveled all over Europe and further to find information. I have enough notes, documentary copies in many copy-shop volumes to finish the work and a number of USBs etc. full of archive data. I would gladly give them over to an honest scholar, devoted to furthering the work of John Durie. However, I am not in a position to pack and send off the heavy parcels and they must be collected by any would-be successor of my work.

In this accessible and enriching study guide, Lee Gatiss walks us through The First Book of Homilies, a series of official sermons from the Reformation, in the company of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop and martyr. Each of the 20 studies includes Bible passages, reflections from the Homilies, and thoughtful questions to prompt prayer and application.

The evolution of religious language has always been a mirror of social and technological change. From the handwritten manuscripts of medieval monasticism to the printed Bibles of the Protestant Reformation, the medium of sacred text has consistently redefined religious authority and accessibility. In the 21st century, digital media has emerged as the new frontier of religious expression, where sacred language circulates through mobile apps, social networks, and AIassisted platforms. This article examines the transformation of sacred language and authority from historical to digital contexts. It argues that digital dissemination democratizes religious discourse but simultaneously poses challenges to authenticity, interpretation, and community cohesion. By comparing historical vernacularization during the Reformation with contemporary digital religious communication, the article proposes a framework for understanding "algorithmic sacredness" in the age of networked spirituality.

La invasión napoleónica y el apoyo prestado por Inglaterra generaron un notable corpus de poesía épica y patriótica en que se demonizaba a los franceses y elogiaba al pueblo anglosajón. Buen ejemplo es el poema La Wellingtoneida o Cádiz triunfante 2 , publicado por José Ramón de Azereto ante la visita de Arthur Wellesley, duque de Wellington, a la ciudad de Cádiz en 1812. Caracterizado por un evidente prosaísmo en el léxico denotativo y especializado, presenta a «la Iberia consternada» (p. 12) que explicita su admiración hacia una Gran Bretaña que es «del globo Emporio» y emblema del progreso político: «la libertad política del hombre / en su constitución forma el cimiento» (p. 64). Pero es durante las Cortes de Cádiz, y no siempre fue así. Las relaciones anglo-hispanas en la Edad Moderna se caracterizaron por una notable complejidad y una naturaleza ambivalente, en la que rivalidad y cooperación se entrelazaron en una dinámica que llevó del enfrentamiento a la alianza y

Lo scopo di questo studio è quello di delineare i rapporti tra l’ambasciatore inglese a Venezia, Henry Wotton, e la società veneziana durante i primi decenni del Seicento. Il diplomatico, teoricamente limitato nei contatti privati con esponenti del patriziato della Serenissima, riuscì a inserirsi nelle dinamiche politiche e sociali della Repubblica, sfruttando i comuni orientamenti giurisdizionalistici: l’analisi dei dispacci, delle udienze dell’ambasciatore in Collegio e degli scritti di Gregorio Barbarigo, uno degli esponenti del gruppo di uomini vicino a Paolo Sarpi, ha permesso di far emergere questo sistema di relazioni. Si è ritenuto di dividere la ricerca in due parti: nella prima si sono definite le posizioni dell’inglese in merito alla contesa tra la chiesa di Roma e il potere temporale, nella seconda quelle di Barbarigo attraverso l’analisi di un suo manoscritto inedito, conservato nell’archivio del doge Leonardo Donà, e della sua corrispondenza, sia diplomatica che privata.

EN- Edward II (d.1327) is often regarded as one of the most controversial kings in English history, both in the Late Middle Ages and in contemporary discussions. A key reason for this controversy lies in his ascension to the throne after the death of his father, Edward I. Edward I had crafted a formidable image as a strong ruler, and his son struggled to meet the high expectations that came with it. This disconnection is clearly reflected in 14th-century English historiography, which emphasizes the perceived failures of Edward II’s reign. Throughout his tumultuous 20-year reign, Edward II twice led England into civil war, suffered major military defeats against Scotland and France, and was frequently criticized for his reliance on unpopular courtiers. Ultimately, he became the first English king to be deposed since the Norman Conquest of 1066. His downfall was unprecedented, as it stemmed from internal conflicts. Even playwright William Shakespeare, writing two centuries later, noted that "The breath of worldly men cannot depose the deputy elected by the Lord." reflecting a sentiment shared by 14th-century historians who wrestled with the legitimacy of his removal. As a result, there was a concerted effort among English writers to justify the dethronement of a king they believed had been divinely appointed. The narratives and arguments that emerged during this period will be the main focus of this research. By examining these, we aim to clarify the unique circumstances surrounding the deposition of a legitimate king—an event that was quite rare in medieval England.

Author: Joan Brown
Publisher: CBE International

Joan Brown traces the chronology of the “extraordinary call,” the condition under which women could be permitted to preach in exception to what was understood as the Pauline rule that women “ought not to teach” (1 Tim 2:12).

ocument collections from later medieval monastic communities, including those of thirteenth-century foundations for Cisterican nuns provide considerable evidence for powerful secular women, feudal "Lady/Lords" of northern France. 1 In fact, the first half of the thirteenth century saw a major surge in foundations for Cistercian nuns, although their story is only now beginning to be told. 2 The existence of such Cistercian women' s documents had been neglected in part because traditional monastic histories had long asserted that there were no Cistercian nuns, or at least very few. 3 The story of those new foundations for religious women is intimately tied to that of the power and authority of thirteenth-century secular women, who were often the founders and patrons of medieval women's religious communities. From among the many thirteenth-century Lady/Lords uncovered in my work on Cistercian nuns, I examine here the careers of five women, who were all named Matilda. Although all of these Matildas had access 1.

Two testamentary documents relating to Caroline Sanderson have survived: firstly, a will proved in the diocese of York and held by The Borthwick Institute; secondly, a will abstract published by the Bank of England. The information contained in them is of considerable use in identifying her family and some of her connections, since there appeared to be no obvious link to Rotherham or to any of the many Sanderson branches around South Yorkshire. Several family members are mentioned by name.

The information contained in the will is of particular value for its use in identifying some what are ostensibly quite disparate family links, which included a famous locomotive designer and a mayor of London.

Family History Methods is an extension of the Dating Antique Photographs Project, which started in 2024. It not only aims to provide members of the public with the skills necessary to succeed in family history research, such as dating old photographs and searching for records but to give their research historical relevance. The goal is to advance family history as a vehicle for historical inquiry, given its potential to motivate academic research. To fulfil this aim, the project's workshops and handbook are designed to guide members of the public in identifying how their family history research can contribute to knowledge in ways that interest people outside their family and show the variety of outlets available to present their research. Brandon Taylorian, the Project Lead, will explain during the workshops how his family history research has led him to produce academic journal articles and other publications that have contributed to knowledge.

Niedawno zaprezentowane zostały kolejne wyniki projektu „Dynastia i społeczeństwo państwa Piastów w świetle zintegrowanych badań historycznych, antropologicznych i genomicznych” kierowanego przez prof. Marka Figlerowicza. Tym razem informują nas one o genetycznych cechach przedstawicieli dynastii Piastów, których udało się przebadać w ramach tego projektu. Łącznie przebadano 33 osoby, w tym 30 mężczyzn i 3 kobiety. U 7 mężczyzn stwierdzono haplogrupę Y-dna R1b, u 4 R1a, u 2 R1.
W niniejszej prezentacji przedstawiono koncepcję wyjaśnienia o odkrytych faktów, stawiając przypuszczenie, że w Polsce XII wieku pojawiła się nowa dynastia władców pochodzenia brytyjskiego, funkcjonująca równolegle do dynastii Piastów, której potomkowie przejęli następnie dominującą rolę w rządach nad krajem.

In 2020, Tony Tibbles published his account of the Watt owners/occupants of Speke Hall, bringing together in one place what was commonly known, had been already published and asserted in print, and attempting to summarise and evaluate it. He concluded that some items seem apocryphal but there is not enough concrete data to confirm or refute them, that Richard Watt may (or may not) have been a relative of Robert Watt, living in Shevington, but that lack of a baptismal record denies us the opportunity to establish Richard's parenthood. There is more.

Piastowie nie pochodzili z Wysp Brytyjskich, ale panująca w Polsce od XII wieku dynastia być może tak. Najstarsze przebadane szczątki z „brytyjską” haplogrupą datowane są bowiem dopiero na początek XII wieku, a prócz nich przebadano również inne, prawdopodobnie starsze, z haplogrupą Y-DNA R1a, z subkladami typowymi dla słowiańskich mieszkańców Polski (R-M458). Natomiast „brytyjska” haplogrupa R1b rzeczywiście pojawiła się, przynajmniej w mazowieckiej linii „Piastów”. Oznaczać by to mogło, że nie pierwsi Piastowie, tylko m.in. ostatni samodzielni władcy Mazowsza i Kujaw, ale także królowie Władysław Łokietek i Kazimierz Wielki, byliby przedstawicielami tej nowej linii władców Polski.

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.

Исторические, культурные, межнациональные, религиозные и политические связи Крыма со Средиземноморским регионом и странами Востока: Материалы IX Международной научной конференции (Севастополь, 2–7 июня 2025 г.) / Отв. ред. Ю.А. Пронина; ред.-сост. Н.В. Гинькут. – М.: ИВ РАН, 2025. – Т. 1. – С. 193–198.

Karashayski K.M. English Mercenaries and Byzantine Rule on the Bosporos in the Late 11th and Early 12th Century

On 2 February 1825, through the signing of a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with the United Provinces of the River Plate (present-day Argentina), the United Kingdom officially recognized for the first time the independence of a Spanish American nation. The community of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh in Argentina soon became the largest expat community outside the British Empire. This five-day online conference aims to encourage a rethinking of 200 years of Anglo-Argentine relations by foregrounding new research that acknowledges the existence of a wider Hispanic-Anglosphere to explore a history of common endeavours that may both challenge and bring new light on topics of conflict and sovereignty that have dominated discussions since the Malvinas/Falklands War. Indeed, this will be the first conference in living memory in the UK to look into Anglo-Argentine relations beyond the scope of the South Atlantic conflict. Organized by the Modern History Research Centre at the University of Winchester and the Hispanic-Anglosphere project, the conference looks to foster reflection on topics capable of informing policies on pressing present-day issues such as international trade, freedom of expression, migration and equal access to resources in learning, housing, healthcare, sports and the protection of biodiversity.

In 2005, during excavations of the monastic cemetery at Auldhame, in Anglian Northumbria, not far from present-day Berwick, 5 burials were distinct from the rest. These graves could be dated to a approximately a century after the monastic settlement had abandoned the site at Auldhame and relocated, presumably to Tyningham, prompted by increasing Viking incursions. Two of the individuals in the burials, who may have been killed in a single incident, had evidently suffered mortal skull wounds inflicted by a large sharp object. These wounds are not likely the result of a gardening accident. According to AOC archaeology group project manager Anne Crone, "one was quite an elderly individual, so it is easy to speculate that these were monks killed in the attack." To my knowledge, the bone lesions have not been studied with a view to determining the size and nature of the offending implement, though the excavators suspected an axe, the Viking weapon of choice. Photo: <https /the-sacking-of-auldhame.htm>